REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY RTPA

 

 

 

SUBJECT

 

 

 

MEETING

DATE

 

ITEM

NUMBER

 

 

Accept Review of Paratransit Programs in Shasta and Butte Counties

 

 

 

12/10/02

 

5

 

RECOMMENDATION

This is an informational item only.

 

SUMMARY

The Board requested that the SCRTPA review costs associated with transit providers in other local counties.  Butte County was selected for use in comparison of costs.  A copy of the report is attached.

 

DISCUSSION

In May 2002, the SCRTPA performed a review of the Shasta Senior Nutrition Program (SSNP) and the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) Demand Response transportation programs.  The review was conducted in response to questions raised concerning the two services.  The review was presented to the Board on 7/23/02, and board members requested a comparison of other local providers. The RABA costs are decreased from the initial study due to $25,000 in costs for a service vehicle reported under the Demand Response costs. The comparison providers report oil under purchased transportation.  $3,900 in RABA oil costs has also been transferred from fuels to purchased transportation 

Butte County was selected for the comparison study due to the similarity of the area.  Paratransit services for Oroville Express(OROX) and Chico Clipper (CLIP) were analyzed. The Butte County Association of Governments provided financial reports from June 30, 2000.  Costs were then compared to SSNP and RABA costs.  The performance indicators selected for the analysis were; costs per service mile (operating costs divided by the total service miles), cost per revenue hour (operating costs divided by total revenue hours), and service mile to service hour (total miles divided by total hours).  The following tables represent the results of the analysis:

 

Table 1 – Costs Per Service Mile (in dollars and cents)

 

RABA

SSNP

CLIP

ORO-X

ADMIN OVERHEAD

               0.32

       0.06

                 0.08

             0.03

FUELS

               0.28

       0.14

                 0.19*

             0.13*

INSURANCE

               0.03

          -  

                 0.19

             0.04

PURCHASED TRANS**

               1.81

       1.06

                 2.43

             2.30

OTHER

               0.13

       0.04

                 0.00

                 -  

TOTAL

               2.57

       1.30

                 2.90

             2.49

 * Clipper and Oroville Express used CNG Fuels

** Cost of contract services       

    

The Cost per Service Mile shows that RABA is reasonably close to Chico Clipper and Oroville Express Services.  It was determined in the initial transit study that SSNP and RABA operate significantly different systems resulting in cost differences that are not directly comparable. Both Clipper and Oroville Express use CNG fuels.  A discussion with Butte County Association of Governments explained that where CNG fuels are less expensive in cost, the cost of maintenance is higher. 

 

 

 

 

Table 2 – Cost Per Revenue Hour (in dollars and cents)

 

RABA

SSNP

CLIP

ORO-X

ADMIN OVERHEAD

               5.47

       0.61

                 0.94

             0.39

FUELS

               4.83

       1.35

                 2.42 *

             1.68*

INSURANCE

               0.50

          -  

                 2.43

             0.48

PURCHASED TRANS**

             31.06

     10.53

               30.41

            30.18

OTHER

               2.16

       0.44

                 0.04

                 -  

TOTAL

             44.02

     12.93

               36.23

            32.72

             

                *  Clipper and Oroville Express used CNG fuels

                ** Cost of contract services          

 

In contrast, the results for Cost per Revenue Hour resulted in higher operating costs than the Butte providers. 

 

Table 3: Service Miles to Service Hour

PROVIDER

MILES

HOURS

MILES PER HOUR

RABA

367,220

21,455

17.1

SSNP

186,968

18,798

9.9

CLIP

234,159

18,748

12.5

ORO-X

149,865

11,406

13.1

 

The distance that the transportation provider travels also impacts the cost of operations.  The more miles that are traveled in a service hour, the higher the cost for operation for that given mile.  This is primarily due to increased fuel costs.  RABA travels more miles in a service hour than the Butte transportation providers. 

 

The analysis presented three findings that affect the cost of the RABA Demand Response service:

 

q        The City of Redding allocates higher administrative overhead costs to RABA

q        Advertising expenses are charged to RABA.

q        RABA travels more miles than comparison providers.

 

Reducing the City allocated costs could result in a decrease in RABA’s operating costs.  Costs would then be comparable to Butte County’s operating costs.

 

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

Butte County Association of Governments provided information for Butte County Paratransit.   RABA staff has reviewed the draft report and made comments.  A copy of RABA’s response to the report is attached.

 

FINANCING

This report is for information only and there is no financial impact. RABA operational costs are funded by Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds.

 

 

 

________________________________________

Daniel J. Kovacich, Executive Officer

 

SLC/jac

 

Attachments:      Comparison Study Report (available online 12/17/02)

                  RABA Letter dated November 12, 2002 (available online 12/17/02)