Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) MetroAccess Saved $1 Million Annually with Travel Training
Challenge
Containing MetroAccess paratransit costs and promoting rider independence while increasing fixed route public transit utilization.
Solution
Intensive, customized one-on-one travel training to familiarize riders with public transportation options.
Results
Extensive cost savings of approximately $1 million annually, as well as increased confidence and access for trainees.
Challenge
As one of the nation’s largest transit systems, WMATA sought a travel training contractor to coordinate intensive one-on-one training with capable users of its MetroAccess paratransit service. Through MetroAccess, WMATA provides complementary Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation in the District of Columbia for individuals with disabilities who are unable to safely access fixed route bus and rail transportation. With the goal of containing system costs while decreasing paratransit utilization, increasing public transit use, and fostering independence and confidence for riders, WMATA partnered with MTM Transit for travel training services in January 2012 through 2023.
Solution
For MetroAccess users who have the ability to utilize fixed route bus or rail all or some of the time but may require assistance before doing so, MTM Transit’s travel training program provided comprehensive instruction in real-life transit scenarios to familiarize riders with local transportation options. MTM Transit offered customized travel training to help riders gain new skills, overcome fears, and build confidence. Training processes utilized the standards and methodologies of national organizations such as the National Transit Institute (NTI), the Association of Travel Instruction (ATI), and Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA).
Our travel trainers taught individualized, route-specific travel training. Trainees learned how to travel via bus and/or train to locations such as school, work, volunteer opportunities, church, senior centers, recreation centers, libraries, museums, shopping destinations, and other community resources. Depending on the individual’s specific needs, initial skills, and travel goals, training lasted as long as needed for the trainee to travel safely and independently. For some, this was achieved in three or four sessions; for others, it took two to three weeks’ worth of training. MTM Transit’s travel trainers worked with trainees utilizing a variety of techniques, including modeling behavior, developing individualized learning tools, fading out as the trainee demonstrated competence, and shadowing the trainee to ensure safe travel skills.
Results
Over the first year of the contract, MTM Transit’s local travel trainers developed and administered training plans for more than 100 individuals with disabilities ranging in age from 16 to 65. Additionally,
our travel trainers provided outreach to over 900 local stakeholders, including potential trainees, social workers, case managers, therapists, and teachers.
Travel training achieved excellent cost savings for WMATA. For each round trip a trainee took on the bus or train instead of paratransit, WMATA saved approximately $96*. With these results, if each ADA-eligible trainee took an average of two round trips on public transit each week, WMATA would receive nearly $1 million in annual savings. At the same time, trainees benefitted from increased independence and better access to their community, and often gained a new perspective on their abilities.
* Based upon WMATA’s FY2013 estimate of $102 for the average paratransit round trip and $8 for the average bus or rail round trip.
Feedback from Travel Training Graduates
“Quentin’s travel trainer listened to my concerns and questions, provided open communication, and checked in often. Quentin’s confidence has gone sky high, and he has changed from being shy to wanting to get out and do more. This program has made him so independent.”
Mother of a Travel Training Graduate
