Paratransit Watch

Red Cross Community Transportation Program - Columbus, Ohio

2016-02-27T15:00:00.001-07:00

OHIO - The American Red Cross - Ohio Buckeye Region provides a Community Transportation Service for seniors and other eligible residents of Franklin County. Volunteer drivers provide "safe, reliable, and timely" transport for those who live in the community but are unable to get to medical appointments and other services on their own. Eligibility varies throughout the region, with some wheelchair service available, so check website for details. The following video features a volunteer driver and a long-term client served by the American Red Cross Community Transportation Program in Columbus, Ohio.

Taxi (2015 Iranian Film by Jafar Panahi)

2016-01-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

FILM - Taxi is a 2015 Iranian film directed by and starring acclaimed Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi (b.1960). Also known as Jafar Panahi's Taxi and Taxi Tehran, it was filmed in Iran and smuggled out of the country despite Panahi being banned from making films there or from travelling abroad. The movie follows Panahi (playing himself) as a taxi driver in Tehran as various passengers catch a lift in his shared-ride cab. Most of the film is seen through the perspective of a security cam located on the taxi's dashboard. Although it has the feel of a docudrama, all the characters in Taxi are portrayed by actors, including Panahi's niece who would later travel to Germany to accept on Panahi's behalf, the Golden Bear (Best Film) prize at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.

Eelaki Care Transportation

2015-10-25T17:15:00.001-06:00

NIGERIA - Eelaki Care Transportation is a non-emergency medical transportation provider located in Lagos, Nigeria. They provide professional assisted door-to-door ambulatory, wheelchair, and stretcher services for all occasions, as well as transport for children with special needs.

2015 New York State NEMT Update

2015-07-31T19:35:00.001-06:00

NEW YORK STATE - In the following video, New York State Senators Tom O’Mara and James L. Seward, as well as local leaders and transportation management officials discuss how upstate, rural legislative districts are being hurt by recent state-level changes underway in the management of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation. For more information on this and a similar roundtable held in Albany in early 2013, go to: Rural Public Transportation Issues Focus Of Senate Forum.

Caliber Patient Care

2015-06-02T18:15:00.000-06:00

NEMT - Caliber Patient Care is a national franchised provider of local and long-distance non-emergency medical transportation services. Their trained professionals (certified in CPR, First Aid, and Defensive Driving) provide wheelchair accessible services from the "bedside-to-doctorside". As well, stretcher services staffed by certified EMT’s are available in selected cities. Caliber Patient Care is currently offering franchise opportunities. At present, they are operating in the following locations: Nashville, TN; Cape Cod, MA; Knoxville, TN; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Atlanta, GA ; Chandler, AZ; Kansas City, KS; Syracuse, NY; Fairfield, CT; Tucson, AZ; Milwaukee, WI; Corpus Christi, TX; Omaha, NE; Jacksonville, FL; Birmingham, AL; Montgomery, AL; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Scottsdale, AZ; Memphis, TN; Boston, MA; Columbus, OH; Cleveland, OH; San Jose, CA; and Philadelphia, PA.

Non-Profit Spotlight: CCFW Transportation Program

2015-05-02T11:03:00.003-06:00

TEXAS - The CCFW Transportation Program of the Catholic Charities Fort Worth provides a variety of shared-ride options throughout Tarrant County, Texas. Since 2012, they have been providing expanded services which include those previously provided by the American Red Cross. These services include transportation to medical appointments, employment, social services, and education for eligible seniors, low income, and individuals with disabilities. In the following video, a client with physical disabilities describes how the CCFW Transportation Program has made a difference in her life.

North State Medical Transportation

2015-04-04T15:01:00.002-06:00

NORTH CAROLINA - North State Medical Transport was established in 2004 by a group of experienced Wake County paramedics who saw the need in the community to provide further top level medical transportation services in the area. Based in Raleigh, their services include: advanced life support, basic life support, wheelchair vans, and shuttles.

News: MTA Facing Class-Action Lawsuit

2015-03-22T10:42:00.003-06:00

MARYLAND - A class-action lawsuit has been filed recently against the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) by frustrated users of the MTA Mobility/Paratransit Program. The federal class-action lawsuit filed by the Maryland Disability Law Center alleges "inappropriate denial of eligibility" and excessive wait times on the phone for bookings. The plaintiffs are not seeking damages, but rather for the MTA to make the necessary changes to improve the system.

Class-action lawsuit filed against MTA over Mobility service - WBAL-TV

Expedia Transportation Services

2015-03-15T16:40:00.005-06:00

SOUTH CAROLINA - Expedia Transportation Services is a wheelchair accessible, non-emergency medical transportation provider serving customers in Bamberg County, SC and surrounding areas.

Non-Profit Spotlight: Charity Transport

2015-03-08T16:40:00.000-06:00

ARIZONA - Charity Transport is a non-profit organization which provides free transportation to medical appointments and community services for low income seniors and veterans that are not eligible for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). This volunteer and donor supported service is available throughout much of the Maricopa County / Phoenix, Arizona area.

Fausta Accessible Transportation

2015-02-28T20:29:00.002-07:00

ITALY - Fausta Accessible Transportation is privately owned company based in Rome, Italy which provides wheelchair accessible transportation services both locally in Rome and long-distance throughout Italy with their fleet of accessible buses operated by English speaking drivers. They also arrange trips and transfers to help make a tour of Italy for wheelchair users possible and enjoyable.

TLC Medical Transport

2015-02-22T19:46:00.001-07:00

CALIFORNIA - TLC Medical Transport is a San Diego based provider of non-emergency medical transportation. They provide door-to-door services both locally and long distance throughout the Southern California area.

Total Transit / Discount Cabs

2015-02-15T21:08:00.004-07:00

ARIZONA - Total Transit is a Tucson area company that provides a wide variety of transportation services including: taxis, paratransit / NEMT, fixed route transit, and transportation management. Since it's founding in 1984, it has shown it self to be a company that is motivated by more than financial gain. An example of this is the Total Transit Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2009 which brought together the company's many philanthropic efforts. As well, they have shown an ongoing commitment to the environment through their use of fuel efficient hybrid vehicles in their fleets and the use of solar panels. Total Transit has also emphasized safety and training for their employees. An example of this is their on-demand taxi division: Discount Cab. All drivers there must complete a three-day training course that includes classroom, on-the-road certification and sensitivity training, as well as being certified to transport special needs passengers and wheelchair users. Watch the following video to learn more about Discount Cab:

Home Health Care: BeWell Home Services

2015-02-07T11:51:00.002-07:00

SOUTH CAROLINA - BeWell Home Services is a nonprofit faith-based non-medical care agency operating in South Carolina. It is a division of Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, a ministry of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. BeWell Home Services provides a wide variety of in-home services (including transporting ambulatory clients to social activities and appointments) and levels of care for older adults, hospital patients, and people recovering from illness or injury.

NEMT Profile: Freedom 2 Go Transportation Services

2015-01-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

OHIO - Freedom 2 Go is an private transportation company operating in the greater Cleveland area. They provide a wide variety of services including: private car services, limousine, airport shuttle, and non-emergency medical transport. The types of non-emergency services provided include: special needs school children, wheelchair accessible seniors transport, and (as featured in the following video) ambulette -

Community Transport in East Sussex

2015-01-25T12:22:00.001-07:00

UNITED KINGDOM - The following two videos provide an interesting overview of how Community Transport services operate in East Sussex. The first video begins by explaining what Community Transport is and gives us 4 examples of services operating in East Sussex: WEALDLINK - a non-profit company which provides transportation for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, Heathfield Youth Express - a transport service of a local youth centre, BusPlumpton Voluntary Driving Scheme - a volunteer driver program, and the Westham and Pevensey Community Bus Link which provides a door-to-door public transport service. The 2nd video then goes on to explain what role the East Sussex County Council plays in supporting local Community Transport initiatives. An example of how the Council partners with community is the Action in Rural Sussex which since 1931 has been working with rural communities to improve services such as transportation.

Video #1

Video #2

CMS Guide for Non-Emergency Medicaid Transportation Providers

2015-01-17T16:16:00.001-07:00

NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION - The following video has been produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) specifically for non-emergency Medicaid transportation providers. It gives a general over-view of Medicaid-covered emergency transportation and benefits. As well, it reviews the principles applicable to such coverage and addresses many commonly asked questions. The information provided runs from the mundane (what's the best color of ink to use on forms) to real-life examples of inappropriate and criminal practices (such as fraud or abuse) by service providers. To find out more, check out some of these other resources provided by CMS - Program Integrity: Non Emergency Medical Transportation Toolkit

New Service for Medicaid Providers: MedicaidBroker.com

2015-01-10T12:38:00.001-07:00

MEDICAID - MedicaidBroker.com is a new online service for independent providers of Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation and home health care services which aims to "empower providers by increasing information and awareness of broker tactics and rates of reimbursement." Subscribed members of MedicaidBroker.com share their experiences and broker rates of reimbursement with other members. This exchange of industry information puts providers in a better position to negotiate improved rates of reimbursement with brokers, and gives them a better over-all knowledge of the brokerage system. Members can choose to make their identity public or remain anonymous.

Paratransit: Bathroom Breaks and Restroom Facilities for Drivers

2015-01-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

OHIO - Some embarrassing and inappropriate (not to mention: unsanitary) behavior displayed by a RTA Paratransit driver caught on video was released to FOX NEWS, Cleveland. The footage shows the driver apparently urinating into a cup and then tossing the contents onto the pavement near the bus. Soon after a customer comes out of the building and the driver helps them onto the bus. RTA released a statement saying that they were investigating the situation would be taking appropriate measures with the driver. The local ATU president said: "the incident shows the need for more bathroom breaks and facilities for bus drivers."

This is a view shared by the American Restroom Association, a national organization which "advocates for the availability of clean, safe, well designed public restrooms." Restroom availability for transit drivers is one of their priority areas. There is actually a piece of Federal legislation meant to address this general issue called the United States Code of Federal Regulations for Toilet Facilities, but the American Restroom Association believes it does not act as a sufficient protection for professional drivers, both long haul or local.

Man Says What He Caught RTA Driver Doing is ‘Disgusting’ and ‘Nasty’

For a broader perspective on this issue, consider the plight of Bus Conductors in Bangkok, Thailand:

Lack of Toilet Breaks Forces Thai Bus Conductors to Wear Diapers

Paratransit: Socius Project

2014-12-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

For Transit Agencies who subcontract service delivery of paratransit, fixed route, or rail service; the current methods used to track service levels of these providers and associated financial penalties is time-consuming, ineffective, and inefficient. Socius is an initiative of Trapeze to gather input from the industry to create solutions based upon the experience and expertise of C-Level Officers, Contracts Managers, IT Professionals, Operations Managers, Quality Assurance Professionals, and Service Providers. Socius is the contract management solution that looks to accurately track service delivery details of contracted Service Providers through real-time calculation, reporting, and disposition of infractions so that both Transit Agencies and their Service Providers can quickly and effectively respond to incidents.

NEMT: 24/7 Medical Transportation

2014-11-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

NEW JERSEY - 24/7 Medical Transportation provides professional and affordable non-emergency medical transportation throughout North and Central New Jersey. They offer a variety of Medical Transportation Services to best serve the needs of the customers, and their families and communities. These include: Coach Van Services, Medical Van Services, Medical Car Services, and Shuttle Services. 24/7 also offers extensive courier, delivery, and warehousing services.

Novi Senior Transportation Program

2014-11-09T02:47:00.002-07:00

The City of Novi’s Senior Transportation Program provides specialized transportation to elegible residents of Novi aged 55 years or older, or physically challenged non-seniors. This door-to-door weekday service is provided by either a lift-equipped bus or standard car. Novi has a population of approximately 55,000 located 25 miles northwest of Detroit.

Seat Belt Extenders

2014-09-06T17:23:00.001-06:00

SAFETY - From time to time a situation may come up, where the seat belts provided on the bus for ambulatory riders may not be long enough to accommodate a customer. In such cases, one option available is to use a seat belt extension. From a transportation service provider perspective, there are some things that should be considered. Seat belt extenders are usually the responsibility of the customer, for both the costs and responsibility of acquiring a safe and appropriate device. Consult with the bus manufacturer for the make and model of the belts to make sure people are purchasing the right products. Before going this route though, eliminate all other possibilities before hand. For example, all the seat belts on your bus fleet may not be the same length. Even a single bus manufacturer may use different seat belt suppliers from year-to-year or model-to-model. So eliminate that possibility first. It may be the case only certain buses cannot accommodate this customer. As well, if the problem has been encountered with the aisle-side lap belts, then try the window-side shoulder belts instead - they are usually longer. Or, there could the possibility (if the client occasionally uses a wheelchair or other mobility device for travel), that they may be better transported that way, if a seat belt can be then be used. Another possibility, is the use of taxis. If your service utilizes other forms of transport such as sedans or minivans, maybe they can accommodate this client. Finally, practice due diligence: check with your auto insurer before giving riders this option and consider how this may apply to any legislation you operate under.

DIRECTORY OF SUPPLIERS
- Extend-ITs
- More of Me to Love
- Seat Belt Extender Pros

Caring Hearts and Hands

2014-08-17T16:59:00.000-06:00

Caring Hearts and Hands is a home healthcare company based in Asheville, North Carolina. They provide a wide range of services including: personal patient care and companionship, home support services, insurance filing, property management, and non-emergency medical transportation (as shown in the following video).

Scheduling: Pantonium

2014-08-17T16:01:00.002-06:00

Pantonium provides automated web and mobile based systems which integrate order entry, scheduling, dispatch, routing, visibility, workflow, invoicing and field data for transportation operations. Based in Toronto, Ontario, their fleet management software can be used for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Paratransit, Demand Response, Lab Transfer Services, or RideShare Programs.