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REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2017
<br /> Councilmember Davis announced the opening of the floor to the public, but Mr. Cangany made
<br /> an additional comment.
<br /> Mr. Cangany stated, One (1) more thing. You know, we always make an invitation public to
<br /> have you guys come out and see our facility firsthand. It's one (1)thing that we're really proud
<br /> of, and when I took the job five (5) years ago, it was one (1) of the things that really sold me on
<br /> the job.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of this bill:
<br /> Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN, stated that she is neither for or against the bill,
<br /> but that she wants more elaboration on paratransit transportation in South Bend.
<br /> Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition to the bill:
<br /> Samuel Brown, 222 East Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated that the Dunbar Homes are not
<br /> being served by TRANSPO and asked the Council to urge Mr. Cangany to send minibuses to the
<br /> area so that the residents there can travel to work. Mr. Brown stated that when he, at a previous
<br /> date, attended a TRANSPO meeting he did not feel welcomed nor did he feel like his grievances
<br /> were received.
<br /> Mr. Cangany returned to the podium for a rebuttal. Mr. Cangany stated, Upon my arrival in
<br /> January, 2013, there was about $1,000,000 worth of service cuts that occurred in April, 2012,
<br /> and that was through a comprehensive operational analysis that was done in 2010 and 2011,
<br /> where TRANSPO was forecasting a potential shortfall in our budget, and the only way to
<br /> maintain service at all was to look at moving around and readjusting routes. What Mr. Brown is
<br /> referring to was a former route, too,which was known as our Bendix route. That route served
<br /> former Bendix complex,went down Washington Street. What is now Route 4 that serves Lincoln
<br /> Way and the airport—which was just recently moved to serve the old Bendix complex, as well—
<br /> that route was moved to accommodate part of the old Route 2. The old Route 2-there were
<br /> parts that were cut, and parts that we integrated into Route 4. So, to go out-of-line is several
<br /> hundred thousand dollars. We looked at that, we looked at extending the Route 10 to go to the
<br /> new Martin's. We're talking $250,000 to add an additional bus to have thirty (30)minute
<br /> frequency, sixteen(16)to eighteen (18) hours a day. What was offered as a solution—what we
<br /> asked for, actually, were specifics. We would be more than happy to reach out to the folks at the
<br /> Dunbar Homes, but we need to know who to talk to. We asked for who lives there?How many
<br /> people live there? Where are they going? What are their trip patterns? So, if we are able to
<br /> understand that, we can understand what type of service could meet their needs. More than
<br /> likely, our TRANSPO Access service would meet a lot of their needs. If the individuals are
<br /> elderly or disabled, that's what the service is for. The paratransit service is for individuals that
<br /> have a disability that prevents them from riding the regular fixed-route service. So,they're a
<br /> costly service. To provide one (1)trip on our Access service—a one (1)way trip—is thirty-six
<br /> dollars ($36) a ride. To provide one (1) trip to a person on a fixed-route service, it's four dollars
<br /> ($4) a ride. We charge a dollar ($1)to ride the regular fixed route. Based on federal law, the
<br /> Civil Rights Act, we can charge no more than double what the regular fare is. So, those are some
<br /> of the options that were put out there. So, for that cost of service, we want to make sure that
<br /> individuals that are on it truly should be using the service, but, at the end of the day, that's still
<br /> open and welcome for the folks at the Dunbar Homes to use. Extending a route or bringing back
<br /> a route I don't see as a viable solution at this time.
<br /> Councilmember Davis asked how long it would take to enact a solution upon receiving all the
<br /> data he requested regarding the needs of residents at the Dunbar Homes.
<br /> Mr. Cangany responded, Rather soon. We can identify what would be the best solution for the
<br /> residents of the area.
<br /> Councilmember Davis asked, So, you don't have that information at the present time?
<br /> Mr. Cangany responded, We do not have that information.
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