YOUR AD HERE
This is a powerful advertising medium. Large, colorful and innovative advertisements on buses travelling around the Baltimore-Washington corridor demand attention for only pennies a day!
Exterior and interior ads can be placed on vehicles of the following transit services:
CMRT also offers opportunities for advertising and sponsorships on bus schedules, tickets & passes, maps and ride guides, Customer Service on-hold message, and the CMRT website.
Please contact Sharon Smith, Director of Customer Development/Marketing, at 240-581-5800 or Sharon.Smith@cmrtransit.org for more information.
Current Requests for Proposal (RFP):
RFP PRC1001 – MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION RESOURCE AND INFORMATION POINT (TRIP) PROJECT DATABASE/WEBSITE AND HOSTING SERVICES
CMRT formerly known as the Corridor Transportation Corporation (“CTC”) is a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides management services to Howard Transit local fixed-route bus operations, general Paratransit service, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit service. Pursuant to an agreement with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)and the State of Maryland Department of Transportation, CMRT also manages Connect-A-Ride, a transportation system that provides fixed-route bus service in portions of three Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George’s), as well as ADA Paratransit service. Recently CMRT was awarded a grant through the MTA to establish a one-stop transportation clearinghouse and call center for transportation services in the Baltimore-Washington corridor as well as neighboring local governmental jurisdictions known as the Central Maryland Transportation Resource and Information Point Project (TRIP).
CMRT is seeking a two-year (2) year contract for the system design, development and implementation of a state of the art Database/Website and 24/7 hosting services for its TRIP initiative, with an additional three (3)one year renewal option at CMRT’s sole discretion.
REQUESTS FOR THE RFP DOCUMENT and/or ADDITIONAL INFORMATION can be made to Ron Skotz at CMRT by e-mail ron.skotz@cmrtransit.org or by phone 240-581-5764.
A PRE-PROPOSAL CONFFERENCE will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Issuing Office: Laurel Executive Building, 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 104, Laurel, MD 20707. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES are due at the Issuing Office by no later than 4:00 PM local time, Friday, July 16, 2010.
Please note that it will be the sole responsibility of any interested and/or prospective party to periodically check the CMRT Website for any and all issued postings/addendums/or other related documents associated with the issuance of RFP PRC1001.
RFP PRC1001 – ADDENDUMS POSTED: 06-29-2010
Recently Closed Requests for Proposal (RFP):
*CMRT formerly Corridor Transportation Corporation (CTC)
RFP PRC0905 - AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATOR AND PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEM (AVL/PI)
Pursuant to an agreement with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the State of Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), CTC manages Connect-A-Ride, a transportation system that provides fixed-route bus service in portions of four counties (Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service.
CTC is now issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure the system design, equipment, software, and full installation, training and implementation of a turnkey AVL/PI system for CARS. At a minimum, the installed system shall be capable of:
- Increasing the availability of transit information and its dissemination and practical usage;
- Increasing customer satisfaction by providing real time bus arrival prediction information along its fixed route system at major points within the services area and by being accessible to the public via the internet;
- Assessing the performance of CARS fixed route services through real time vehicle location and daily reports that monitor on-time performance;
- Increasing overall operating and dispatching efficiency; and
- Increasing driver and passenger safety and security.
The AVL/PI system product provided by the Contractor shall encompass all labor, materials, equipment, training, support and services incidental and necessary to its installation, implementation and maintenance, as specified in the procurement documents, the selected Contractor’s proposal and the signed agreement between CTC and the Contractor for the AVL/PI system.
Corridor Transportation Corporation Headquarters is at 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 104, Laurel, Maryland 20707.
REQUESTS FOR THE COMPLETE RFP AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION can be made to Ron Skotz, the CTC Grants and Procurement Coordinator, by phone 240-581-5800, or by email ron.skotz@cmrtransit.org, or by fax (1-240-294-5249)
BID RESPONSES are DUE at the Issuing Office by no later than 4:00 PM EST, JANUARY 22, 2010.
Current Invitations for Bid (IFB):
None
Past Procurements:
Project Description:
The Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT), in partnership with the BWI Business Partnership, Inc. (the Partnership) and the Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association (ARTMA), is submitting a JARC proposal to enhance the Transportation Resource Information Point (TRIP) mobility program managed by CMRT. This proposal would add a Mobility Field Coordinator that will collect, organize and disseminate information on transportation services that will allow low-income Maryland residents to access employment opportunities in and around the Fort Meade community.
The Mobility Field Coordinator will be located at the National Business Park at the Annapolis Junction, Maryland and will report to the Partnership.
The Mobility Field Coordinator will work directly with leaders within Fort Meade to facilitate an increase in information on transportation services. The Mobility Field Coordinator will also work with community leaders and business representatives which surround Fort Meade to ensure that information on public transportation options is being effectively disseminated to low-income residents. A key element will be close coordination with the myriad of transit and transportation entities that provide service to the Fort Meade community.
Finally, the Mobility Field Coordinator will leverage activities of the Central Maryland TRIP project to ensure that efforts are cumulative, not duplicative.
According to a report completed in 2005 by the Regional Economic Studies Institute of Towson University and the Maryland Department of Planning, in conjunction with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, of the 45,000 direct and indirect jobs that will be created as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative, 8,000 of them will be service jobs that will provide employment opportunities to residents in and around the Fort Meade area. It is estimated that Anne Arundel alone will absorb almost half of the job growth that will largely be low-paying jobs in retail, food service, and custodial services.
This project will increase the information that Maryland residents will receive on the transportation options that would permit access to the service jobs in and around Fort Meade. These options include, but are not limited to, public transit (including bus, light rail, MARC, and Amtrak), human service and private shuttles, and rideshare matching.
Goals & Objectives:
A) Describe the targeted population to be served.
The targeted population is the TANF recipient and/or low-income individual that is in need of transportation options to get to and from job opportunities in and around the Fort Meade area. This will include low-income residents of Baltimore City, as well as the counties of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Carroll, Howard and the City of Laurel.
More specifically, the target population for the Fort Meade community includes (but is not limited to) the following:
B) Describe which unmet transportation need(s) identified in the coordinated plan this project seeks to address.
The unmet transportation need identified in the coordinated plan this project seeks to address is the lack of a central source of information concerning the full spectrum of public transportation options as well as alternative transportation options, especially for low income persons and families who are currently employed or will find employment in the areas around and adjacent to Fort Meade.
By leveraging information and communication materials from Central Maryland TRIP, the Mobility Field Coordinator will coordinate with organizations throughout the Fort Meade community to permit a clear understanding of public transportation options that will enable Maryland residents to access employment opportunities.
Currently, selected and fragmented information on transportation options is available. The Mobility Field Coordinator, working with Central Maryland TRIP, the Partnership, and ARTMA, will ensure that information on all transit systems in the region, including the MTA and WMATA, is combined with information on locally operated transit systems, services operated by human service agencies, rail options (light rail, MARC, and Amtrak), as well as private shuttles and other transit services operated by/for the public, and non-profit social service agencies that provide niche and client-based operations.
Another responsibility of the Mobility Field Coordinator will be to provide support to the Partnership and ARTMA on promoting ride-matching that will enable those interested in shared rides to participate in carpools or vanpools.
C) Identify which Strategy(ies) within the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan this project responds to.
This project will meet a stated priority by using the TRIP centralized point of information to provide information on available transportation options in areas affected by the significant growth in employment opportunities throughout the Fort Meade community. In addition, the project meets additional identified strategies including building coordination among existing public transportation and human public service transportation providers. This project will also evaluate existing transportation services to identify new services that may be needed in order to more efficiently and effectively serve the target population.
D) Indicate how the project addresses the need.
Within the next twelve months, this region will begin to experience the significant impact of growth around Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County. With the projected growth it is critical to have available the appropriate information and comprehensive data network needed to effectively meet the mobility needs of the new employees.
New job seekers, particularly those of lower incomes who may be transit dependent, need information on public transportation options to increase their employability opportunities in and around the areas experiencing high employment growth. By relying on the TRIP infrastructure, the new Mobility Field Coordinator will be able to assist the target population by assisting them in learning how to navigate the transportation network not only at Fort Meade, but also along the Baltimore-Washington corridor region.
The Mobility Field Coordinator will also assist Central Maryland TRIP to consolidate the independent information systems for each transportation provider into a single system.
E) Estimate the number of people within the target population the project will serve and briefly describe the rationale for the projection – total number of individuals to be served and average number of one-way trips provided (if applicable) per month.
According to the Maryland Department of Planning, Fort Meade and the surrounding areas’ economies will gain as many as 45,000 direct and indirect jobs and approximately 28,000 new households as a result of the increase in employment opportunities in and around the Fort Meade community. The increase in employment will not only bring high paying government intelligence jobs, but it will also create a significant number of new low income support staff civilian jobs at Fort Meade as well as low income service sector jobs outside the base, particularly in the areas of retail and food service.
According to a report completed in 2005 by the Regional Economic Studies Institute of Towson University and the Maryland Department of Planning, in conjunction with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, of the 45,000 direct and indirect jobs that will be created as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative, 8,000 of them will be service jobs that will provide employment opportunities to residents in and around the Fort Meade area. It is estimated that Anne Arundel alone will absorb almost half of the induced job growth that will largely be low-paying jobs in retail, food service, and custodial services.
F) Explain how the project increases or enhances availability of transportation of the targeted population and detail if the project will also help meet transportation needs outside this population.
Through effective proactive communication, low-income Maryland residents will have information on transportation options that will enable access to employment opportunities in and around the Fort Meade area.
The need for centralized information on transportation options throughout central Maryland is clearly understood. Through the Maryland Transit Administration, CMRT received JARC funding to build a database of local and regional transportation services as well as expand customer service hours. With additional funding from this FY 2011 grant, CMRT, through the Partnership, will add a third staff member to the TRIP family who will function as a field coordinator. The Mobility Field Coordinator will be based at the National Business Park which will improve access to the multitude of TANF recipients who will be in the Fort Meade area to work.
The TRIP mobility management team has been charged with the assembly, ongoing monitoring, and updating of all available transportation services within the region. Each, along with the call-center staff, will be at the disposal of the new Mobility Coordinator to assist in the response to questions relating to transportation options, schedules, hours of operation, and individualized trip planning.
Coordination:
A) Describe how the project will be coordinated with other social service agencies and/or public transportation providers. (Ex. sharing vehicles, dispatching, scheduling, maintenance, coordinating client trips, training, etc.)
In order to successfully facilitate the goals of this project, the Mobility Field Coordinator will work with all of the transportation entities such as transit providers, private transportation providers, and rideshare coordinators in Anne Arundel, Howard, and Baltimore Counties as well as the cities of Baltimore and Laurel to select and continuously update information on available transportation services. Information will be obtained and updated in the appropriate databases to ensure that information is current. Information on transportation services will be made accessible via the Internet, the call center, and directly by the Mobility Field Coordinator to interested partners and programs.
B) Identify partners/stakeholders and indicate any private sector involvement. (Attach letters of support for each stakeholder)
Partners for this project will include CMRT, the Partnership and ARTMA. Additionally, for the purposes of this grant proposal, a number of key stakeholders have been identified:
Jurisdictions
Human Service Agencies/Organizations
Employee/Job Seeker Representatives
Fort Meade Agencies
Business and Retail
Education
C) Indicate how stakeholders will be involved throughout the project.
Since the stakeholders’ constituents will be the key recipients of information services, the Mobility Trip Coordinator will work closely with designated representatives of the appropriate stakeholder entities to ensure that the transportation data they offer is up-to-date, and that the multi-modal information received by stakeholders’ constituents is accurate, timely, and easy to understand. Periodic updates will be sent to a stakeholders e-mail group and bi-monthly meetings will be established for stakeholders and there will also be opportunities for those in workforce development and supporting agencies to train on how to access the available information.
Implementation:
A) Provide an operational plan for providing service. (Include time table, route map, and/or service map if applicable)
CMRT and the Partnership will collaborate on the hiring and supervision of the Mobility Field Coordinator who will serve as an extension of the TRIP program servicing the low income population of workers in the Fort Meade community. The Mobility Field Coordinator will report to the Partnership.
The operational plan for this project includes:
Office space for the Mobility Field Coordinator will be provided at the National Business Park which is located at Annapolis Junction, Maryland. This space is being provided as a match to the project.
B) Describe how the agency intends to implement the project.
CMRT will collaborate with the Partnership to implement the project within the one year grant period by utilizing the following:
C) Explain how the project relates to other services or programs provided by your agency and demonstrate how it can be achieved within the agency’s technical ability.
The hiring of an additional staff member as an extension of TRIP is appropriate and within CMRT and the Partnership’s technical ability as both manage transportation services in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. ARTMA’s leadership will also play a vital role in establishing a presence in Anne Arundel County.
Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT)
CMRT is responsible for operating two inter-jurisdictional public transit systems and operating a customer service call center. CMRT is a manager of both fixed-route and para-transit bus systems with significant experience in the oversight of contracted transportation operations. As a full-service management company, CMRT provides a complete complement of transit administrative and support functions including: customer call center services, grants planning and administration, financial planning and oversight, route and schedule planning and development, ADA certification and compliance, marketing and vehicle and technology procurements.
BWI Business Partnership, Inc. (the Partnership)
The Partnership serves as the designated rideshare agency for northern and western Anne Arundel County and operates the BWI Transportation Center (in partnership with the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation and Anne Arundel Community College), and administers the LINK shuttle, an employer-based shuttle service open to the public within the central BWI area. The Partnership operates welfare to work program between Baltimore City and Howard Counties. The Partnership also serves as a transportation and transit information agency for employers in northern Anne Arundel County, and works in conjunction with the two corridor metropolitan planning organizations- the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association (ARTMA)
ARTMA is a member organization which receives funding from the Maryland Transit Administration and Anne Arundel County and is managed by a volunteer board of directors. ARTMA promotes transportation options and transit expansion throughout Anne Arundel County to increase mobility, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. ARTMA will be the catalyst linking residents, employees, and visitors with a web of transportation options enabling them to move easily around the region and connecting them to Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington.
The technical and human resource specifications required for a project of this magnitude will be met using current transit and customer service strategies already in place together with the help of cutting-edge software and related training.
D) Describe how the agency will market the project to the target population and promote public awareness of the program.
Over the course of the one-year cycle, CMRT, the Partnership and ARTMA will work strategically with its partners and stakeholders to effectively promote the availability of the services offered by the Mobility Field Coordinator. The TRIP supervisor, along with staff and the Mobility Field Coordinator, will meet with the appropriate jurisdictions and members of the business community to brief them on the new position as well as use that opportunity to provide information about TRIP tools and services. The TRIP staff will train suitable staff members of the different organizations on how to assess the needs of their clients and how to direct them to the right people for further help.
Once hired, the Mobility Trip Coordinator will promote the TRIP program through a media blitz. This campaign will feature public service announcements and feature articles in selected publications within the corridor, transit ads (both in-house and out), and information placed within stakeholder newsletters and other employee information outlets. The networks of sponsoring organizations will also be tapped. Furthermore, economic development agencies, departments of social services, and human service agencies will be surveyed to determine the effectiveness of this new position.
E) Provide a timeline for project implementation.
Managerial Capability:
A) Describe the agency’s ability to manage the project and the number of years the agency has worked with this targeted population.
CMRT, formerly Corridor Transportation Corporation (CTC), a 501 (c) (3) private non-profit agency based in Laurel, Maryland is a well established transit management firm that has been operating in Central Maryland since 1989. CMRT is the public-private partnership directly responsible for the oversight and management of transit services operating in a four county area and the City of Laurel with a combined estimated ridership of more than 1.6 million passengers annually. Over half of these rides have catered to our JARC population. CMRT currently holds management contracts with the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of Human Resources, the Maryland Transit Administration, Howard County, Prince Georges’ County, and Anne Arundel County.
CMRT has spent almost two decades in fostering solid relationships in the public and private arena. CMRT has a 15 member advisory board that represents the private sector including corporate, publishing, real estate, health care, and legal professions; two members are retired transportation officials. The CMRT Board is a tremendous resource that can be leveraged to obtain support for transit programs and services within the business communities that CMRT serves.
CMRT is a manager of both fixed route and paratransit systems with significant experience in the oversight of contracted transportation operations. As a full service management company, CMRT provides a complete complement of transit administrative and support functions including: customer call center services, grants planning and administration, financial planning and oversight, route and schedule planning and development, ADA certification and compliance, marketing, vehicle and technology procurements. Additionally, CMRT has performed consulting studies for local government and the private sector relating to transportation management and analysis of service delivery models. CMRT also employs its own quality control staff to make sure that services are provided in accordance with contractual obligations. All of these ancillary functions are bundled and included within our bid to support the hire of a new Mobility Field Coordinator.
The Partnership is a 501 (c) (4) non-profit membership organization located in Hanover, MD. For the last 11 years, the Partnership has worked with JARC targeted populations through JARC supported welfare to work van services, and currently through the BWI Center Project. As a part of those duties, the Partnership manages an Emergency Ride Home program. From 1999-2003, The Partnership managed a JARC program (Career Caravan) that connected employees living in Baltimore City’s Empowerment zones to various worksites in Howard County. That program still exists on a smaller scale funded through Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Maryland Department of Human Resources.
The Partnership has been managing transportation information, coordination, marketing, and shuttle services as the designated rideshare agency for northern and western Anne Arundel County for twenty years.
For over 10 years, the Partnership has managed the LINK shuttle bus service which services the National Security Agency (NSA) and other employers and is accessible to the public. The shuttle connects various office locations in the BWI Business district, BWI MARC station, and the BWI Business District Light Rail Station. Management responsibilities involve producing and publishing bid offerings, selecting transportation sub-contractor(s), coordinating with contractors and NSA for routing and scheduling, and day to day supervision of operations.
The Partnership has also established a transportation center at BWI Airport terminal to work directly with airport-based employers, employees, and job seekers to provide information on transit options, and coordinate improvements to better serve this major employment center. The Partnership is also utilizing a JARC grant to target JARC populations with employment openings, information, transportation options, and the development of van services and shuttles to Baltimore City neighborhoods.
Finally, the Partnership operates the BWI Transportation center as part of the larger BWI employment, Training, and Transportation Center in Partnership with Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) and Anne Arundel Community College. The center opened at the BWI Airport terminal in August 2006.
Founded in 1992 as a 501 (c) (6) company, ARTMA is a member organization which receives funding from the Maryland Transit Administration and Anne Arundel County and is managed by a volunteer board of directors. ARTMA promotes transportation options and transit expansion throughout Anne Arundel County to increase mobility, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. ARTMA will be the catalyst linking residents, employees, and visitors with a web of transportation options enabling them to move easily around the region and connecting them to Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington.
Some of ARTMA’s stated goals are (1) to serve as the regional liaison to coordinate and prioritize common transportation issues which impact government, businesses, visitors, and residents, (2) to advise and support public and private initiatives that will improve mobility in the region, and (3) to advocate and communicate the importance of transportation options.
B) Describe key personnel assigned to the project. Will the agency need to hire additional personnel to support the project?
Key personnel assigned to the project will include:
Key personnel involved in the project will include:
The Mobility Field Coordinator will be the only additional hire through this project.
C) Describe how the agency will manage risk and provide for safe delivery of services – driver training and safety, vehicles used, vehicle safety and maintenance and insurance.
N/A- This program is an information referral and customer service program.
Fiscal Capability:
A) Provide a complete budget indicating project revenues and expenditures in the format provided in Part I.
Draft Budget Worksheet attached to original application.
B) Provide evidence of financial capability and the stability of the local share.
Evidence of financial capability is found within CMRT’s audited financial statement.
C) Describe how the project relates to any federal or other programs that the agency operates, and if applicable how these resources can be leveraged for the project.
The proposed project will be able to utilize the existing infrastructure developed by our Central Maryland TRIP mobility management program. In addition to the infrastructure stemming from the TRIP project including the website and call center, the TRIP project has an advisory board made up of a diverse cross section of community leaders. This board has representatives from the private and public sectors that can be leveraged to obtain support for transit programs and services within the business communities that CMRT serves.
D) Describe any potential long-term efforts or funding sources that will sustain the project should the JARC and/or New Freedom funding is no longer available in future years.
We anticipate that project costs will remain stable after the initial capital costs for hardware, software, furniture, and other office supplies expended in first phase of the project. It is also anticipated that due to the critical community and regional needs that this project addresses, other public and private funding will be made available to sustain the project.
Program Effectiveness:
A) Identify performance measures to track the effectiveness of the service in meeting the identified goals.
There are already tools in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the TRIP program. These tools can break down the client access data into geographic regions. We can use the data that is from the Fort Meade region to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed program.
To prove that this Mobility Management Project is successful CMRT will also utilize the appropriate evaluation tools including:
B) Describe the agency’s plan for monitoring and evaluating the project.
Monitoring of key performance indicators will be determined and conducted by the TRIP Mobility Manager/Project Supervisor. Program assessment will be conducted during months 3-5 and again in months 7-9 of the project.
C) Indicate what steps will be taken if original goals are not achieved.
The goals of the project will be achieved. The experience of CMRT staff and the relationships/partnerships that have been developed over the years ensure success.
Key government, transit and human/disability stakeholders will be intricately involved in the evaluation of the project.
If at any time there appears to be issues with the progress and/or effectiveness of the project, the numerous talents and expertise of the CMRT Board of Directors as well as the stakeholders and project partners will be accessed.
D) Briefly describe any new or innovative solutions demonstrated by the project and whether it could be replicated elsewhere in the region or state.
This project is new and innovative to this region and addresses a special challenge posed by significant growth not only to the general public, but to the sometimes forgotten TANF recipients and low-income workers.
This project can be replicated in other regions where there is a similar challenge of a mass influx of people and jobs in a short period of time. Access to transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, children, and youth, and individuals with limited incomes is critical for their physical, social, economic and psychological well-being. Transportation provides equal access to services and opportunities in order to participate in all aspects of life.
For any questions or comments, please contact Michael Owino at 240-581-5766 or Michael.Owino@CMRTransit.org. You can also contact Matthew Helfant at 240-581-5765 or Matthew.Helfant@CMRTransit.org.
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Project Description:
Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT), in partnership with Enterprise National Rental Car, is submitting a New Freedom application to develop a Train-The-Trainer program for job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, medical in-take specialists, human resource coordinators and others who work with people with disabilities. This project will have a direct and immediate impact on people with disabilities by increasing their knowledge, ability and confidence in accessing public transportation.
This project will support a full time Transit Trainer who will be responsible for developing materials, partnering with disability and human service agencies, and conducting 4-6 hour training workshops. This project will identify key personnel who already work with people with disabilities.
CMRT will coordinate closely with the Maryland Transit Administration and human service agencies in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Northern Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel to maximize the effectiveness of the project.
Utilizing the train-the-trainer approach, CMRT will exponentially increase individuals with disabilities’ opportunities to gain employment and enhance their quality of life.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, in January 2010, “the labor participation rate of persons with a disability was 21.8 percent compared with 70.1 percent for those without a disability.” The unemployment rate among people with disabilities is well above 60 percent. Transportation is often one of the major barriers commonly cited by people with disabilities as it relates to employment and other related services.
Enterprise National Rental Car will be providing a 20% discount of an automobile for the Transit Trainer to use in the delivery of the training program that will represent a portion of the project match. Additionally, project stakeholders have agreed to provide space for the training workshops as a part of the project match.
Mary J. Owen, Disability Rights Advocate and Policy Expert, Washington, DC states, “ADA expanded the outer boundaries which limit human potential and now there is a vast expanse of evolving possibilities stretching out into the future.”
Goals & Objectives:
A) Describe the targeted population to be served.
The Baltimore-Washington corridor is made up of the four counties – Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s (including the City of Laurel) with the City of Baltimore to the north and Washington, DC to the south with a land area of 1648.8 square miles. The corridor boasts 46% of the total population of Maryland (2.4 million people) and corridor businesses account for 47% of all Maryland jobs employing 1.5 million full and part-time employees.
This project will target people with disabilities in Anne Arundel, Howard, northern Prince George’s Counties and the City of Laurel.
The targeted populations are structured in a two-tiered environment. The first tier includes key personnel who already work with people with disabilities such as, job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, medical in-take specialists, human resource coordinators, etc. Job coaches and counselors work directly with people with disabilities on a regular basis and are intricately involved in the clients’ daily activities including transportation needs.
The second tier focuses on individuals with disabilities. According to the National Organization on Disability, with roughly 2 in 3 working age people with disabilities unemployed, people with disabilities suffer the highest unemployment rate in the United States. Local and national surveys have identified transportation as one of the barriers to employment.
This Train-The-Trainer project is an essential element in breaking down the employment and quality of life barriers for people with disabilities. The project will inform, educate and train individuals how to access public transportation.
B) Describe which unmet transportation need(s) identified in the coordinated plan this project seeks to address.
The unmet transportation need that was identified in the Baltimore Area Coordinated Transportation Plan that addresses this proposal as referenced in the application is – “The expanded information for human service agency caseworkers, families, and potential riders concerning what transit services are available, how they can be accessed, and how people can be trained to use them.”
Eight (8) years ago, CMRT staff had the opportunity to participate in a week-long transit training workshop hosted by Easter Seals Project ACTION. A three-member training team attended and subsequently used the materials to develop a transit training program to train job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, in-take specialists, aids, etc. on how to use fixed route transit.
A series of transit training materials were developed including a training video, power point presentation, resource toolbox, etc. Training workshops were conducted over a 4-6 hour period including field exercises. More than 500 people participated in the training. As a result of the training, paratransit ridership decreased while fixed route increased. Follow-up surveys conducted among training participants confirmed that 10% of clients trained transitioned from paratransit to fixed route service.
C) Identify which Strategy (ies) within the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan this project responds to.
The Regional strategy identified in the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan as referenced in the application is – “Establish or expand programs that train customers, human service agency staff, medical facility personnel, and others in the use and availability of transportation services.”
D) Indicate how the project addresses the need.
The Train-The Trainer project is designed to educate and inform a core group of individuals by arming them with vital information, resources and tools. By removing transportation as a barrier to employment, we will exponentially increase persons with disabilities’ opportunities to secure and maintain employment.
CMRT readily admits that transit providers are not resident experts on the abilities of people with disabilities but job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, medical in-take specialists, are. They have years of education, training and certification. It is this group of experts who are in the optimal position to assess the individual’s transit skills and abilities -- related to social interaction, counting, reading, road safety and contingency plans (what to do if).
Additionally, these experts are far more likely to reach a larger group of the targeted population than a transit provider. Job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, and medical in-take specialists work with people with disabilities on a regular basis on daily living skills and activities. Transportation is one more critical element that can and must be added to the cadre of resources available.
E) Estimate the number of people within the target population the project will serve and briefly describe the rationale for the projection – total number of individuals to be served and average number of one-way trips provided (if applicable) per month.
The CMRT Train-The-Trainer project will be managed by a full-time Transit Trainer. Fifty percent of the job will include identification of community partners and developing training opportunities. CMRT’s foundation is based on a public/private partnership. In keeping with that philosophy, CMRT has partnered with Enterprise National Car Rental to secure an automobile for the trainer. Enterprise has agreed to provide the twenty percent match as outlined in the application guidelines.
CMRT expects to train more than 200 job coaches, rehabilitation counselors, medical in-take specialists, human resource coordinators, etc. If each of the training participants trains a minimum of 20 clients, more than 4,000 people with disabilities will have been trained.
F) Explain how the project increases or enhances availability of transportation of the targeted population and detail if the project will also help meet transportation needs outside this population.
This Train-The-Trainer project design will allow CMRT to provide all the necessary information to a core group of professionals. They in turn will work with individual clients and/or groups to teach them how to use public transportation.
CMRT is the expert in providing regional public transportation services. Disability and human service agencies are the experts in providing guidance to their clients. When combined the entities create a powerful collaborating network. CMRT has worked with the disability/human service agencies for more than 20 years and has a solid partnership.
Coordination:
A) Describe how the project will be coordinated with other social service agencies and/or public transportation providers. (Ex. sharing vehicles, dispatching, scheduling, maintenance, coordinating client trips, training, etc.)
CMRT has spent more than twenty years fostering partnerships with disability and human service agencies throughout Central Maryland. As the manager of public transportation services, there is a natural alliance with these agencies because we typically share customers. Traditionally that relationship primarily involved paratransit services. CMRT through the New Freedom application and other accessibility related activities is moving the paradigm shift.
CMRT also works with community partners on sensitivity awareness training for bus operators and other key transit personnel.
Eight years ago, CMRT managed a Train-The Trainer project. While the program was successful, we were not able to dedicate a full-time position for the program. This proposal will have a dedicated full-time staff member responsible for the management and implementation of the project. It is anticipated that the trainer will develop training tools, meet with all of the stakeholders, work with the Director of Marketing to develop an advertising plan and organize 1-2 training workshops per week during the first quarter of the project. As the trainer becomes more immersed in the project, it is expected that the number of training sessions will increase.
To ensure the trainer has ample opportunities to conduct outreach efforts, we propose the purchase of an automobile to be used by the trainer exclusively for this project. CMRT has partnered with Enterprise National Car Rental to purchase a vehicle. Enterprise has agreed to provide the twenty percent match as stipulated in the grant guidelines. (See Budget Worksheet).
B) Identify partners/stakeholders and indicate any private sector involvement. (Attach letters of support for each stakeholder)
CMRT is committed to working with the following agencies.
(See attached letters of support).
C) Indicate how stakeholders will be involved throughout the project.
CMRT will have a representative from each human service/disability organizations referenced above to serve on an advisory committee. The committee will review the training materials to ensure that CMRT has captured the most salient areas of importance. CMRT will also rely on the committee to provide additional insight and guidance. The CMRT Trainer will utilize various forms of communication to keep all members of the advisory team up-to-date.
The CMRT Passenger Advisory Group (PAG) is comprised of customers with disabilities who provide guidance on transit-related accessibility issues. PAG will play a critical role in this project.
The stakeholders are also the audience. It is from these very organizations that CMRT will seek training participants.
Implementation:
A) Provide an operational plan for providing service. (Include time table, route map, and/or service map if applicable)
B) Describe how the agency intends to implement the project.
As the materials are being developed, reviewed and produced, the Transit Trainer will simultaneously reach out to the project stakeholders to identify training participants from their agencies.
The Transit Trainer will also enlist opportunities through other CMRT partnerships and other grant programs such as the Job Access Reverse Commute Central Maryland Transportation Resource Information Project (TRIP). The TRIP program is an exciting innovative one-stop transportation information center that functions as a central customer service and regional clearinghouse for all transportation services in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and neighboring jurisdictions.
C) Explain how the project relates to other services or programs provided by your agency and demonstrate how it can be achieved within the agency’s technical ability.
CMRT has managed public transportation in the corridor for more than twenty years. As manager of Howard Transit and Connect-A-Ride bus services, CMRT is responsible for management oversight of a fleet of 65 accessible buses on nineteen fixed routes and paratransit services.
CMRT boasts an enthusiastic roster of 17 experienced and well seasoned team members with more than 75 collective years in public transit. During this time, staff has gained extensive knowledge and experience in working with community partners, represents the agency on numerous boards and committees throughout the region and is the recipient of local, state and national awards. CMRT has previously provided various types of training including transit and sensitivity awareness for transit personnel.
D) Describe how the agency will market the project to the target population and promote public awareness of the program.
CMRT has an established partnership with numerous human service/disability agencies within the community. The CMRT project stakeholders have already agreed to participate and serve as a resource for other transit training outreach efforts.
The Transit Trainer will work in concert with the CMRT Director of Customer Development and Marketing to create targeted outreach and marketing opportunities. In addition to the development of a comprehensive training curriculum, CMRT will develop additional marketing materials – tri-fold training brochure, resource tools, safety tips, etc. Press releases, flyers on buses, newsletters, postings on the CMRT website as well as those of the stakeholders will all be utilized in the marketing of the project. CMRT Marketing will publish articles in selected featured publications.
CMRT offers another valuable tool. CMRT’s customer call center receives approximately 8,500 calls per month. Staff will take the opportunity to share information regarding transit training through this venue as well where appropriate. CMRT also offers interior and exterior bus advertising. Marketing will use bus advertising as another outreach mechanism.
E) Provide a timeline for project implementation.
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Month 1-3 |
Month 4-6 |
Month 7-12 |
|
Hire Transit Trainer
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Conduct training workshops |
Conduct training workshops |
|
Develop Training Curriculum |
Continue to Market the Project |
Continue Marketing the Project |
|
Meet with Stake-holders; Form Advisory Committee |
Write articles for featured publications |
Write articles for featured publications |
|
Develop Marketing Materials |
Meet with additional community partners |
Continue to market the project |
|
|
|
Managerial Capability:
A) Describe the agency’s ability to manage the project and the number of years the agency has worked with this targeted population.
CMRT has managed public transportation in the corridor for more than twenty years. As manager of Howard Transit and Connect-A-Ride bus services, CMRT is responsible for management oversight of a fleet of 65 buses on nineteen fixed routes and paratransit services.
CMRT boasts an enthusiastic roster of 17 experienced and well seasoned team members with more than 94 collective years in public transit. During this time, staff has gained knowledge and experience in working with community partners, represents the agency on numerous boards and committees throughout the region and is the recipient of local, state and national awards. CMRT has previously provided various types of training including transit and sensitivity awareness for transit personnel.
The CMRT Board of Directors represents public and private organizations that include public transportation, real estate, communications, universities, legal, etc.
CMRT has an established partnership with numerous human service/disability agencies within the community. The CMRT project stakeholders have already agreed to participate and serve as a resource for other transit training outreach efforts.
B) Describe key personnel assigned to the project. Will the agency need to hire additional personnel to support the project?
Key personnel assigned to this project will include:
C) Describe how the agency will manage risk and provide for safe delivery of services – driver training and safety, vehicles used, vehicle safety and maintenance and insurance.
In partnership with Enterprise National Rental Car, CMRT will procure an automobile for the Transit Trainer to use in the delivery of the training program. CMRT has full liability and collision insurance on its existing administrative/monitor vehicles. The new vehicle will be included under the existing coverage and will be maintained under CMRT’s current maintenance program.
Fiscal Capability:
A) Provide a complete budget indicating project revenues and expenditures in the format provided in Part I.
(See attached Budget).
B) Provide evidence of financial capability and the stability of the local share.
Evidence of financial capability is found within CMRT’s Audited Financial Statement.
C) Describe how the project relates to any federal or other programs that the agency operates, and if applicable how these resources can be leveraged for the project.
CMRT currently operates a customer service call center. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 am – 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Saturday call center hours are part of the Job Access Reverse Commute Program, Central Maryland Transportation Resource Information Point (TRIP). Central Maryland TRIP is a one-stop transportation information center that functions as a central customer service and regional clearinghouse for all transportation services in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and neighboring jurisdictions including Baltimore City and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard as well as Prince George’s and Montgomery. The Customer Service Representatives (CSR) assist customers with trip planning, information on fare structure, how to read a schedule, etc.
In some instances accessing public transit has little to do with one’s disability but more with the fear related to trying something new and different. The role of customer service becomes even more valuable when a CSR can assist customers with disabilities using public transit for the first time. The CMRT Customer Service Team Leader will also be a valuable asset in assisting the Transit Trainer with the Train-The-Trainer workshops.
D) Describe any potential long-term efforts or funding sources that will sustain the project should the JARC and/or New Freedom funding is no longer available in future years.
The long-term effort is that the project will train people who will be able to continue to help people with disabilities long after the project is ended. The project value equates to building an “army” of well-equipped trainers.
The Transit Training program offers a multitude of benefits for the customer – access to employment and services, independence, flexibility and enhanced quality of life. By training people with disabilities how to use fixed route bus service, you reduce the number of individuals utilizing curb-to-curb service. The savings from this effort can be used to support the on-going efforts of the Train-The Trainer program.
CMRT fervently believes that training individuals with disabilities how to use public transportation will increase access to employment and services, independence and flexibility.
Program Effectiveness:
A) Identify performance measures to track the effectiveness of the service in meeting the identified goals.
B) Describe the agency’s plan for monitoring and evaluating the project.
Monitoring of key performance indicators will be conducted by CMRT, Advisory board and project stakeholders. The stated performance goals will be matched with the accompanying timeline as referenced under the Implementation section E.
C) Indicate what steps will be taken if original goals are not achieved.
The goals of the project will be achieved. The experience of CMRT staff and the relationships/partnerships that have been developed over the years ensures success.
Key government, transit and human/disability stakeholders will be intricately involved in the evaluation of the project.
If at any time there appears to be issues with the progress and/or effectiveness of the project, the numerous talents and expertise of the CMRT Board of Directors as well as the stakeholders and project partners will be accessed.
D) Briefly describe any new or innovative solutions demonstrated by the project and whether it could be replicated elsewhere in the region or state.
By building an “army” of well-qualified trainers, the outreach and benefits associated with the program extend far beyond any one jurisdiction. Whether it’s our MTA neighbors to the north or those along the eastern shore, the end result is the same – training people with disabilities how to use fixed route transportation services. Prior experience tells us it works. CMRT is excited about the many possibilities and opportunities this project will inevitably yield.
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