Benefits of the Mobility Management Model
As transit ridership continues to increase, mobility management introduces coordinated community transportation to ensure all aspects of passengers’ mobility needs are met. Through Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligibility assessments, travel training, and education, our efforts introduce passengers to local transportation resources and help them choose the mode that best fits their needs.
As ridership continues to increase, our approach delivers a strategic method for unifying, managing, and coordinating transportation services. MTM Transit collaborates with our clients to deliver a family of transit services and options like:
- Diverse travel options and modes
- Eligibility assessments
- Travel training
- Helping plan for future system growth
- Modular, scalable solutions, up to full turnkey partnerships
- Performing education and outreach to explain the transit system to stakeholders
- Developing strategies for meeting the needs of passenger populations
- Pursuing grant opportunities to maximize potential for federal Mobility on Demand “Sandbox” programs
- Pursuing opportunities for grant funding
- Educating passengers on and assigning them to the most cost-effective, appropriate mode of transportation
ADA Eligibility Assessments
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligibility process should ensure that only truly eligible passengers are approved to use costly paratransit services. Instead of considering a medical diagnosis as a firm eligibility determination, MTM Transit’s eligibility assessment process focuses on each passenger’s actual functional and cognitive abilities. Our expert mobility management team helps transit agencies customize the eligibility determination model that best suits the system and its passengers. While in-person assessments and determinations provide transit agencies with the most value and confidence, MTM Transit has a diverse mobility assessment toolkit that allows us to perform mobility assessments of any type, as well as hybrid models:
- Paper-based application process with no assessment
- Paper-based application process with in-person interview and assessment
- Electronic/app-based application process with no assessment
- Electronic/app-based application process with in-person interview and assessment
- 100% in-person application, interview, and assessment process
Our In-Person Assessment Process
Like our competitors, MTM Transit can deploy assessment models that are strictly paper or app-based; however, our in-person interviews and assessments are proven to provide impartial evaluations that eliminate a false positive for eligibility. All assessment processes remain in strict accordance with ADA paratransit regulations.
Our evaluators utilize recognized tools such as the Functional Assessment of Cognitive Transit Skills (FACTS) test, as well as methodologies set forth by the National Transit Institute and Easter Seals Project ACTION, to determine environmental, architectural, and personal barriers that may impact a passenger’s ability to safely and independently access public transit. Our evaluations follow a comprehensive process to determine if a passenger can safely access public transit either with or without travel training.
Application
The assessment process begins when an evaluator reviews the passenger’s application for services. The application gives the evaluator background regarding the passenger’s physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as any medical conditions that may impact their ability to utilize public transit.
Interview
When the evaluator meets the passenger for their assessment, the interview allows the passenger to provide details regarding their own opinion of their travel skills and abilities. During the interview, the assessor determines whether or not the passenger can safely participate in the functional assessment process.
Functional Assessment
During the assessment, MTM Transit looks at two aspects of the passenger’s functional abilities: physical and cognitive. The physical functional assessment considers the passenger’s physical abilities to ride public transit. This assessment is conducted in the real transit environment—in the street, on in-service buses, or on a fabricated mobility course—to ensure valid results.
Recommendation / Determination
At the conclusion of the assessment, the evaluator makes a recommendation regarding the level of service and mode of transportation the passenger requires based on their actual abilities.
Travel Training
Where appropriate, MTM Transit refers passengers to travel training services to help them learn to utilize fixed route public transit independently. Our mobility management staff also provides industry-leading travel training services to help our clients improve public transit utilization.
Why In-Person?
In-person assessments for ADA eligibility provide our clients with a more thorough indication of passengers’ actual functional and cognitive abilities, as well as a higher degree of accuracy. In-person assessments also allow for interaction between the evaluator and passenger, giving the evaluator a full picture of the passenger’s needs and leaving less room for error, bias, fraud, and abuse.
– Kathy Miller, TriMet Manager Of LIFT And Community Relations
Travel Training
Public transit is a valuable community resource that can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with the system. For passengers who are capable of utilizing fixed route bus or rail systems but may require some assistance before doing so, MTM Transit’s travel trainers provide comprehensive instruction in real-life transit scenarios to familiarize the passenger with local transportation options. Our expert travel trainers are your partners in removing community barriers by helping passengers travel independently, safely, and confidently.
Benefits of Travel Training
Public transit is a valuable community resource that can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with the system. For passengers who are capable of utilizing fixed route bus or rail systems but may require some assistance before doing so, MTM’s travel trainers provide comprehensive instruction in real-life transit scenarios to familiarize the passenger with local transportation options. Our expert travel trainers are your partners in removing community barriers by helping passengers travel independently, safely, and confidently.
Travel Training topics include:
- Safety and awareness
- Reading and using system maps and schedules
- Trip planning, including making transfers
- Identifying, boarding, and disembarking vehicles
- Paying fare
- Street crossing safety
- Accessibility features of buses, rail cars, stops, and stations
- Emergency skills
- Following appropriate social behavior and system rules
- Self-advocacy with the driver and general public
- Requesting stops and assistance with special needs
- Judging distance and time
- Stranger awareness
- First and last mile mobility options
Types of Travel Training
MTM Transit offers a family of travel training services customized to meet the needs of our clients and help their passengers gain new skills and overcome fears. No matter the type of training provided, travel instruction is always conducted by our skilled travel training staff, who strive to ensure passengers have the capabilities and confidence to use fixed route public transit to the fullest extent possible. Our processes utilize the standards and methodologies of expert organizations such as the National Transit Institute, the Association of Travel Instruction, and Easter Seals Project ACTION.
One-on-One Training
For passengers who need individualized attention, our travel trainers conduct comprehensive one-on-one instruction to specific destinations. This is the most customizable training option and is conducted in the actual public transit environment—on the street, at transit stops, in vehicles, and at the actual times the passenger will travel.
Classroom & Group Training
Classroom and small group training offers a less intensive approach than one-on-one training by providing general route demonstrations and familiarization. During these sessions, travel trainers facilitate outings to community locations for a real world experience. In some cases, trainers may utilize out-of-service vehicles from the local transit system so passengers can explore a vehicle without the pressure of being on an in-service route.
Train the Trainer Training
MTM Transit’s train the trainer program focuses on ensuring travel instruction sustainability for our clients. Through this training, we provide classroom instruction to individuals who currently provide travel training services on behalf of a transit agency, or individuals who will train passengers in the future. It is also suited for familiarizing clinicians with public transit, allowing them to serve as a resource for the populations they serve.
Meet Our Mobility Management Expert
Brian Balogh
Transit Chief Operation Officer
Brian leads MTM Transit’s operations to achieve contract compliance and efficient quality service. He joined MTM Transit in 2016 with more than 24 years of transportation management experience. Brian possesses significant leadership experience overseeing transit operations across the nation, including fixed route, paratransit, mobility management, and ADA assessment and travel training programs. As Chief Operating Officer, he oversees MTM Transit’s location operations nationwide to ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery of transportation services. He works closely with clients to understand the local climate and issues pertaining to each of our transit programs. In his hands-on approach, each client receives personal, program-specific support. He received his education from Cleveland State University.
