TAXI VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM

 

Recommendation:

1. That the City Council direct staff to secure proposals from qualified taxi companies to participate in voucher program; and,
2. Direct staff to work with the City of Redondo Beach to modify our existing agreement for the Dial-A-Ride program to implement the pilot program.

 

Background:

Staff was directed to develop a program that would increase the availability and lower the cost of the existing WAVE program. As you know the City and the City of Redondo Beach have jointly operated the WAVE program since 1987. This program is funded from Proposition A funds, with the actual service provided under contract to a private operator. Redondo Beach has served as the lead agency in the program performing all of the administrative functions associated with the program.

It is proposed that the City Council approve a pilot program that would allow the use of vouchers for taxi service. This would be in addition to the WAVE program. The pilot program would be available to eligible residents under the same rules that we have for the WAVE program. The vouchers would allow the eligible residents to travel by taxi to the same destinations that the WAVE now serves. The cost for eligible residents would also be the same, with the City, through Proposition A funds, covering the difference between the cost of the taxi service and the cost of the voucher. The voucher program would be reviewed and evaluated and, if determined to be successful, added as a regular service. Users of the program would be asked to participate in the evaluation program so that we get as much feedback as possible.

The vouchers would be sold on a trip basis. In other words, each voucher would be good for a one way ride in the designated area. They could be sold in books or groups to eligible residents. The taxi companies would provide the service in exchange for the voucher. Taxi companies would submit the vouchers to City for reimbursement at a predetermined fixed rate.

Taxi companies will be asked to submit proposals to participate in the program. The proposal will contain among other items, the proposed cost of each trip in the designated area and ability to provide service.

If this proposal meets the goal of the City Council, staff will finalize an agreement amendment with Redondo Beach, send out proposals to taxi companies and finalize the details of the voucher program. It is estimated that we could implement this pilot program by July, 2001.

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