Industry Standards Proposal

In 2013-2015, Community Transportation Association of the Northwest received a contract from the Washington State Department of Transportation to work on the development of Industry Standards. An open work group was formed consisting of providers, brokers, and others with a mission "to provide consistent basic standards for special needs transportation providers in order to promote safe, competent, affordable, high quality services for passengers with special transportation needs, including aging adults, youth, people with income challenges, and people with physical or mental health disabilities while reducing costs and promoting efficiencies". The group reviewed various requirements from multiple agencies, and weighed them among practical implementation, costs of implementation, and safety for customers, clients, providers and the public. The group further researched conflicts in the RCW and WAC, and worked to develop a set of "Best Practices" based on the findings. The group has put together a document containing it's findings in the form of a "DRAFT PROPOSAL". In order to ensure a comprehensive proposal is created, the group is seeking additional input from stakeholders throughout the region, including for-profit providers, public transit agencies, brokers, funders, nonprofit agencies, regulatory groups, and other organizations who have an interest in supporting and developing "best practices" for special needs transportation.

The group is meeting frequently to update the draft with input and feedback. Ultimately, our goal is to have a complete final draft proposal to submit to the State for adoption.

This document has been put together as a starting point, and focuses on (4) four main areas: Introduction/Rationale, Recommendations/RCW & WAC, Basic Minimum Standards, and Regulatory Oversight.

We invite you to provide any feedback or input using the form below, by attending a listening session on Tuesday, November 17th at 10:00a, or by contacting Ryan Acker at ryan@ctanw.org to schedule an in-person or phone appointment.

Thank you for your participation in the development of this proposal. Together, we can further promote a safe, high quality, competent and efficient transportation system for individuals and families with specialized transportation needs.

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* 1. RESPONDENT INFORMATION - Please identify the type of organization, business or agency you are representing.

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* 2. RATIONALE

Pages 3-6 of this document articulate a rational for the development of a recognized "industry" encompassing providers of transportation dedicated to serving individuals with specialized transportation needs (or supported mobility capacity).

Please indicate your input or feedback for the "Introduction" section of the document.

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* 3. RECOMMENDATIONS - RCW/WAC

Pages 7-8 of this document articulate recommended updates to the RCW and WAC to incorporate the "industry" as a whole.

Please note 3 major changes:

1) Based on user feedback, the term "Special Needs Transportation" has been changed to "Supported Mobility Transportation". "Supported Mobility Transportation" is the term used throughout the document. We understand there is historical significance to the term "Special Needs Transportation". Other terms might also be more appropriate in law, such as "Community Transportation", "All-Accessible Transportation", or "Paratransit". In your feedback, please consider whether you agree with an update to the term "Special Needs Transportation" with another term such as "Supported Mobility Transportation", "Community Transportation", or otherterm you believe most accurately describes the industry as a whole.

2) The primary change to the definition of the "industry" is that it now specifically includes "for-profit" providers not under contract with the state in order to maintain basic, minimum standards regardless of contract status.

3) Other changes include the addition or exclusion of the "industry" in other parts of the RCW and WAC, and call for a singular regulatory agency for the "industry" in order to reduce costs and duplication of efforts.

Please indicate whether you agree, or have changes for the RCW and WAC recommendations in this proposal.

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* 4. BASIC MINIMUM STANDARDS

Pages 9-27 of this document articulate the recommended "basic minimum standards" for providers in the industry. These standards were developed through a review of common practices among the various contracting agencies, as well as input from providers in order to set a high quality standard across the board. There are 3 main areas of standardization.

1) Section 1 covers Vehicle Requirements, including maintenance and inspection requirements. (p 10-18)

2) Section 2 covers Operator Requirements, including minimum training and education standards. (p11-24)

3) Section 3 covers Insurance Requirements, based on balancing contract and market availability standards. (p 25-27)

Please indicate your feedback below.

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* 5. REGULATORY AGENCY

Page 28 of this document outlines the role and charge of the regulatory agency for the "industry" as a whole.

This document does not recommend or name a specific regulatory agency.

Please indicate your input or feedback below. If desired, please include any ideas or suggestions for a specific regulatory agency (I.E. - UTC, FTA, WSDOT, BROKERS, DHSH, DOL, ETC.)

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