Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution amends the Transportation Department's 2023 Adopted Capital Budget to establish a new grant program to support accessible taxi cabs. The resolution adds $250,000 in General Fund supported GO borrowing to support the program. Funding would be available to licensed taxi companies in Madison to buy accessible taxi cabs. Annual debt service payments on the $250,000 in borrowing are estimated to be $32,500.
Title
SUBSTITUTE: Establishing a Grant Program to Support Accessible Taxi Cabs in Madison
Body
WHEREAS, according to the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the need for additional accessible taxi vehicles is identified in the 2019-2023 Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan for Dane County due to “limited number of wheelchair-accessible vehicles can result in long waits at certain peak times, leading to capacity and service reliability challenges”; and,
WHEREAS, accessible transportation providers other than taxi companies typically require at least 24 hours’ notice for requested rides, which does not provide equitable transportation access to needed destinations for people experiencing mobility impairments; and,
WHEREAS, the sole current provider of accessible taxi service in the Madison area reports that they are unable to meet existing demand for accessible vehicle rides; and,
WHEREAS, there is a significant correlation between mobility-impaired and senior populations; and,
WHEREAS, Dane County’s population aged 65 and older is projected to increase by 29,230 individuals between 2020 and 2030, and Madison is home to 47% of Dane County’s population; and,
WHEREAS, transportation remains a critical civil rights issue for people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, was intended to ensure the equal treatment and equal access of people with disabilities and prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Despite this, the Disabled/disability community has experienced disparities in transportation services for decades; and,
WHEREAS, accessible and reliable transportation is necessary for the inclusion of people with disabilities in education, employment, recreation, and all other aspects of the community. Ensuring access to transportation promotes equity and opportunity for Madison’s Disabled/disability community; and,
WHEREAS, federal and state programs to fund the purchase of accessible vehicles are restricted to non-profit, government, and shared-ride taxi services; and,
WHEREAS, no programs exist to support the purchase of accessible vehicles for use in exclusive-ride service provided by a for-profit company; and,
WHEREAS, the Metro Network Redesign will bring accessible transportation options to more Madisonians more often, but some Madisonians will have less access to Metro in the new network and will need to seek new options;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that that the City of Madison will establish a Grant Program to Support Accessible Taxi Cabs that is open to licensed taxi companies in Madison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2023 Capital budget is amended to include a new program in the Transportation Department with $250,000 in funding to support the program, supported by GO borrowing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that licensed taxi companies may apply for funding up to the full amount of the program to buy accessible taxi cabs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Madison will establish a grant application form that is open to licensed taxi companies in Madison,
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the application process will require applications at a minimum to include details on how many coverage hours are offered, the percentage of their drivers that will be trained to operate the accessible vehicle and to safely transport individuals experiencing disabilities with dignity, if matching money can be provided, partnerships with programs that helped historically disadvantaged populations get rides, the number and type of accessible vehicles projected to be purchased, the expected length of service of the vehicles, as well as other information staff shall deem necessary for effective scoring of applications and project selection for funding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that grantees shall charge riders who need to use the accessible features of the vehicle the same fare as they charge other riders, nor shall the taximeter start before passengers are boarded and secured.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that scoring for the program will be conducted by City staff and other experts such as Wisconsin DOT and MPO staff, and that scoring system shall be approved by the City of Madison Transportation Commission, and that scoring for the program will be modeled after the Department of Transportation and MPO Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program., as well as incorporating other aspects of the City’s commitment to racial and social justice equity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the award agreement will require the grantees to carry insurance and facilitate repairs and replacements as well as maintain regularly operating vehicles and services and that the City shall place a lien on the vehicles to guarantee its right to take back any vehicles that are not being utilized within the scope of the agreement or if the grantee exits the business.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the award agreement will require the grantee to submit regular reports including the number of rides the vehicles administered where at least one person in the party needed to use the accessible feature.
Sources
<https://www.greatermadisonmpo.org/planning/documents/2019_CoordinatedPlan_FinalForWeb.pdf>
Wisconsin State Population Projections, 2010-2040, <https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/Population_Projections.aspx>
Department of Transportation Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program
https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/transit/enhanced-mob.aspx#:~:text=The%20Section%205310%20Enhanced%20Mobility,profits%20and%20local%20public%20bodies <https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/transit/enhanced-mob.aspx>.
Greater Madison MPO Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, Program Management Plan <https://www.greatermadisonmpo.org/planning/documents/Program_Management_Plan_2020_Adopted.pdf>