HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.6 Sr Center Ride Match Svc~~~ \
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CITY CLERK
File # 0 2^Q~- l^~
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 16, 2009
SUBJECT: Senior Center Ride Match Service
Report prepared by Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and
Community Services
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and direct Staff to implement the proposed Ride Match
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: One of the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 City Council high priority
objectives (identified by the Senior Center Advisory Committee and assigned to the Parks and Community
Services Department) is to develop a Volunteer Carpool Program to provide transportation to the Dublin
Senior Center. The intent is to provide an alternate transportation method for seniors from their homes or
public transit hubs, to the Senior Center and back.
In March 2009, Staff presented a conceptual volunteer carpool program to the Senior Center Advisory
Committee. The plan was to recruit, screen, train and schedule volunteer drivers to provide rides to and
from the Senior Center. As part of the screening it was proposed to obtain and monitor driver DMV
records, obtain fingerprints for a Department of Justice background check, require personal automobile
liability insurance, and, provide training on best practices for defensive driving, vehicle maintenance and
pre-trip vehicle inspections. Staff noted the program must be implemented in a manner that the liability
for any accident or injury would be the responsibility of the volunteer driver and their insurance, not the
City of Dublin.
Overall the Advisory Committee liked the conceptual program. The Committee Members discussed their
desire to ensure the safety of drivers and riders. However there was a concern that all of the steps
necessary to become a volunteer driver would probably deter most volunteers from going through the
screening process. The Advisory Committee took no formal action on the plan. Instead, Staff was asked
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COPY TO: Senior Center Advisory Committee
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ITEM NO.
G:\CO[JNCIL\P.genda Statements\2009\6-16 Senior Ride Match Service.doc
to determine if there was a middle ground or compromise that could be made to reduce "red tape", while
still ensuring the safety of riders.
Staff reviewed the conceptual program with the City Attorney's Office and the City's Risk Manager from
the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The City Attorney's Office determined that making
the drivers volunteers for the City would make the City potentially liable for any accidents that might
occur. Based on the recommendation from the City Attorney's Office, Staff has developed a draft plan for
a "Ride Match" service which is outlined below. This program is based on the successful "Ride Share"
program coordinated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for commuters. It would facilitate
carpooling among Senior Center patrons who either want to be drivers and/or riders. Drivers would not
be City of Dublin volunteers, similar to the drivers who transport participants in the Senior Center Trail
Trekkers program.
PROPOSED PROGRAM PLAN
In order to facilitate carpooling to the Senior Center, Staff would maintain a list of interested drivers and
riders. The information would be stored in a database and plotted on a map using Google Maps, making it
easier to visually find drivers and riders with similar transportation needs. The maps would be accessible
via the Internet by Staff and by riders and drivers that have completed a registration form with the City.
Once a potential ride-share match is found, the rider(s) and driver would be responsible for working out
their own arrangements for the carpool.
Rider and Driver Registration
In order to gain access to the rider/driver map and contact information, individuals would need to
complete a registration form. The form would ask for basic contact information and carpooling
preferences including:
^ First and Last Name
^ Home Address or Street Name
^ Preferred Method of Contact: Email Address or Phone Number
^ Carpool Preference: Ride, Drive or Both
^ Schedule: Day(s), Arrival and Departure Times, Schedule Flexibility
^ Special Needs: Non-Smoking, Mobility Issues, Car Size, etc.
The registration form would also list the following "terms of use" for the Ride Match service and require a
participant signature:
^ Participants agree to receive phone calls and/or e-mail messages from other Dublin Senior Center
Ride Match Service users.
^ Participants understand they will receive periodic a-mail messages from the Senior Center
requesting that they review and update contact information, and that such review will be required
for continued participation in the service.
^ Participants understand that the Senior Center Ride Match Service only provides information that
will enable them to form or join a carpool.
^ Participants understand that personal information will remain confidential and will only be used
for ridesharing purposes.
^ The Ride Match Service provides referral services; it does not certify the character of ridesharing
participants. Participants will be advised to screen referrals to their personal satisfaction.
Additionally, in consideration of being permitted to participate in the Ride Match service, participants
would be required to sign a release and waiver of liability for the City.
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Ride Match and Carpool Tips
Staff would prepare a handout for riders and drivers to provide tips for establishing and maintaining
successful carpools. In order to help avoid carpooling with unsafe drivers and/or people who may make
someone feel uncomfortable, participants would be advised to get to know each other before starting to
carpool by meeting in a neutral public place or talking on the phone and discussing driving safety. Other
key questions to discuss could include:
^ How often will the carpool happen?
^ Who does the driving and on what days?
^ Does the driver(s) have full insurance coverage?
^ Where and when will the carpool meet? Carpoolers can pick each other up at home, or meet at a
mutually-convenient location.
The handout would suggest that participants request contact information for personal references, and
make sure to exchange emergency contact and any necessary medical information prior to starting the
carpool. Carpoolers should also establish "rules of the road" on items such as food and beverage,
smoking, cell phone use, etc.
The City would make no specific recommendations about cost sharing, but instead encourage carpoolers
to decide about cost sharing up front to ensure all members of the carpool agree on the financial details
before starting.
IMPLEMENTATION
If the proposed plan is approved by the City Council, Staff anticipates implementing the service by the
end of July. The administrative costs of the program are minimal and are included in the Fiscal Year
2008-2009 current service level budget.
The ride matching data and maps would be maintained by the Senior Center Volunteer Coordinator. The
service would be promoted in the newsletter, quarterly activity guide, www.dublinseniorcenter.com, and
at City facilities. Staff would target driver recruitment with participants in existing classes. Additionally
with well over 100 older adults at "The Groves" without personal transportation, Staff would try to
facilitate use of the service by the management of that complex, which is trying to expand transportation
options to the Senior Center.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council receive the report and direct Staff
to implement the proposed Ride Match program.
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