On December 7, 2015, the Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) Board of Directors voted to cease all services in Collin County immediately. Previous to that date, the City of Allen utilized TAPS to provide Demand Response transportation service to the elderly and disabled residents of Allen.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) negotiated an agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to provide emergency Demand Response transportation service in the communities of Allen, Fairview and Wylie for a pre-determined time period of 90 days. That service began on February 29, 2016 and ended on May 27, 2016.

The City of Allen continued the Demand Response bus service for seniors 65 years of age and older and the disabled, through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with DART and their subcontractor (MV transportation) until September 30, 2016. The ILA also provided for the ability to transition from the Demand Response bus service to a Taxi Voucher system.

On October 3, 2016, DART transitioned to a subsidized Taxi Voucher system for the provision of transportation services in the City of Allen. The Taxi Voucher system provides a debit card to eligible residents that can be loaded with resident funds up to $100 per month. Those funds are matched 3:1 which provides up to a total of $400 in usable taxi voucher value per month for eligible residents.

DART Board Policy III.07 requires that any entity outside of the DART service area who wishes to contract with DART must partner with DART to prepare a transit system plan and supporting financial plan within the first 36 months of the contract service. The attached ILA stipulates that the City of Allen will cooperate with DART and consultants to prepare a Collin County Service and Financial Plan to fulfill the requirements of Policy III.07. Cooperation in the planning would include participating on policy, stakeholder and technical advisory committees, providing information about economic development, demographic projections, and financial projections, and reviewing and commenting on the Collin County Service Plan as necessary.

The attached ILA renews the existing contract with DART for an additional two years, terminating on September 30, 2019. The ILA requires monthly payments of $12,500, which is a continuation of the monthly payment that was being made to TAPS for Demand Response services and a continuation of the monthly payments that funded the first year of the Taxi Voucher program with DART. The Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC) has approved funding in this amount for FY 2017-2018. The ILA also stipulates that on July 1, 2019, DART shall provide a projected pricing schedule for continuation of any service beyond the term of the agreement, and provides for the ability of either party to unilaterally terminate the agreement for any reason with 120 days written notice.

Funding of $150,000 annually for Demand Response transportation service has been approved by the Allen Community Development Corporation.

Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for the provision of demand response transportation services for the elderly and disabled.

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for the provision of demand response transportation services for the elderly and disabled.