Board previews pilot to lower fares for local medical trips and approves resolution to seek FTA Section 5310 operating funds

The Redwood Coast Transit Authority board received an update on CTSA programs and approved a resolution supporting an application for FTA Section 5310 operating funds to underwrite medical shuttle operations. Staff described two CTSA programs launched in 2020 — an ADA eligibility determination program and a transit travel-training program — and said both were slowed by the pandemic. Staff said some riders who were "grandfathered" into para-transit databases before 2020 never completed formal ADA eligibility applications; staff signaled a likely future plan to require remaining riders to complete eligibility paperwork over a phased schedule. The board also discussed growing medical shuttle services: a South Oregon medical shuttle that extends Route 20 through Eureka and connects passengers to hospital and VA facilities and a Tuesday/Thursday demand–response shuttle that operates when two or more paid reservations exist. Staff said the Southern Oregon shuttle had a poor first year because of wildfire-related road disruptions but has gained ridership and that net operating costs last year were about $21,000, split evenly between the CTSA (Redwood Coast Transit) and Del Norte Healthcare District. To encourage more trips, staff previewed a pilot proposal under which the Del Norte Healthcare District would subsidize local medical trip fares for eligible riders. The concept would reduce fares for rides that start or end at a medical facility; the health district would buy down the user subsidy and contribute an operating subsidy (illustrative example: $5 per trip) to help cover the authority’s roughly $40 fully loaded cost for a single demand-response trip. Staff said further negotiation with the health district is expected and that the board would see a refined proposal next month. The board also adopted a resolution to pursue FTA Section 5310 operating funds, a grant program to support transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities; staff said the grant is reporting‑intensive but could pay half of operating costs for the medical shuttle if awarded. Director questions included whether medical-trip vouchers prioritize patients with appointments (staff said priority is generally given when capacity is constrained) and whether costs could be further reduced by contracting with taxis or ride-hailing (staff said reducing fully loaded dial‑a‑ride cost would be difficult without significant service model changes). The board voted to adopt the resolution supporting the FTA 5310 operating funds application: Director Starkey, Director Altman and Chairman Wright voted yes.