TAMRMS#: B06
5.3
REQUEST FOR DECISION
title
Access to Transit Mobility Services Pilot Project
Presented by: Will Steblyk, Manager Transit Service Delivery, Public Operations
label
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That Standing Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that a two-year Transit Mobility Services Pilot Project be approved in the amount of $150,000 commencing in 2026 to be funded from the Stabilization Reserve.
body
SUMMARY
This report provides a financial analysis and outlines an implementation plan for a two-year pilot project. The pilot project is to utilize an external service provider to supply and operate smaller wheelchair accessible vehicles to provide service to eligible Handibus clients in instances where the trip request cannot be accommodated due to St. Albert Transit's existing fleet of Handibus vehicles due to the size and maneuverability of these vehicles.
The pilot project does not change existing St. Albert Transit Handibus service levels or operating parameters but will bridge gaps where service currently cannot be provided due to physical constraints preventing the use of the existing fleet vehicles. Administration will utilize the pilot project to assemble information such as demand and expenses to support alternatives for Council consideration following the pilot project period.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On July 2, 2025, Council passed the following motion:
CM-25-011
To improve equitable access to mobility services in St. Albert, that Administration prepares a financial analysis and implementation plan for a two-year pilot project utilizing a third-party contracted service with the business case presented to Council by Q3 2025.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
St. Albert Transit Handibus is a service designed to assist in meeting the mobility needs of residents, 16 years of age and over, who cannot use the conventional transit services due to a physical or cognitive disability. Handibus service currently provides door to door transportation services to eligible and registered St. Albert residents and is a shared-ride, equal-access operation. Services are provided for all trip purposes - medical, educational, recreational, etc. - and no trip is assigned priority over another based on purpose. Notable service details are as follows:
* Registered clients: 686
* Total trips provided 2024: 30,442
* Fleet: 7 fully accessible buses.
* Operating hours:
o Monday to Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm. Local and Commuter
o Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Local only.
o No service Sundays and statutory holidays.
There are cases, including three in 2024, that St. Albert Transit has been unable to provide Handibus service due to limitations in infrastructure accessibility and equipment compatibility. Origin or destination locations without accessible parking or suitable drop off or pick up zones restrict St. Albert Transit from providing service to the location with the existing fleet. The Handibus fleet consists of large 25-foot vehicles that can accommodate up to three wheelchairs and several ambulatory passengers. The large size, and increased turning radius, makes maneuvering in some instances very difficult, particularly in winter. On-street boarding/disembarking is not an option for all clients and the mobility device they use, or due to roadway characteristics such as single lane, slopes, traffic volume, potential winter hazards, etc.
Some service restrictions could be alleviated by using a different-sized vehicle. For example, a smaller vehicle, such as a minivan with a custom conversion to accommodate a wheelchair, could be employed. However, St. Albert Transit currently does not have such vehicles in its fleet. To address this, the pilot project would involve St. Albert Transit partnering with an external service provider that has the required vehicles. This model would be similar to the operational structure used by Edmonton Transit Service's Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS).
It is noted that the smaller vehicles would only be utilized in cases where the origin or destination cannot be serviced by the existing Handibus fleet due to physical constraints. The use of the supplemental service would not be extended to clients for trips that do not specifically require the smaller vehicles. The existing fleet and service provision would apply for these trips.
An estimated funding of up to $150,000 over two years would provide Administration with the necessary resources to complete the pilot project. This estimate is based on a per-trip rate for taxi services in the Edmonton region, applied to an anticipated volume of trips for clients identified prior to the pilot's implementation. However, due to the variable nature of both client demand and trip volume, this estimate includes a contingency allowance to accommodate potential increases in service needs during the pilot period, as well as any necessary casual wage funds to support this pilot project.
The pilot project will also involve gathering key data on demand levels, service quality, costs, and customer acceptance and feedback. This data will enable a more accurate assessment of the service's long-term viability and inform recommendations to Council regarding its continuation or potential revision after the pilot period.
In evaluating the expense associated with the pilot project, Administration also researched costs associated with procuring smaller vehicles and the potential for providing the service internally. A vehicle is estimated to cost $110,000. When factoring in existing contracted bus operation rates, along with maintenance and fuel, the estimated annual operating costs are $86,000. These costs exceed the projected expenses for the pilot project. Given the lack of comprehensive data on demand and the higher operational costs of running the service internally, Administration recommends moving forward with the pilot project.
The following is the implementation plan for the recommended pilot project.
1. Council Approval: Council approval is required to proceed, with the service set to begin on January 1, 2026.
2. Procurement Process: If approved, Administration will follow the city's procurement policy to select an external service provider. The process will focus on finding a vendor who aligns with the City's goals and can meet project requirements within budget.
3. Service Agreement & Internal Processes: Once a provider is selected, Administration will formalize the service agreement and review internal processes, including data collection, to integrate the pilot project.
4. Client Communication & Assessment: Administration will inform clients previously unable to access Handibus service about the new vehicle availability. A reassessment will be done to ensure that these clients meet eligibility criteria for the pilot.
5. Service Commencement: Pending contract finalization, the pilot will begin on January 1, 2026, at the start of the fiscal year. This timeline will ensure a smooth launch and allow for the collection of data on service demand, quality, and customer feedback.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
None at this time.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved, $150,000 would be funded from the Stabilization Reserve, which has sufficient funds.
Compliance & Legal:
The use of a third-party taxi company to supplement services does not breach any legal or regulatory provisions.
Program or Service:
There will be no revision to existing service levels. The provision of a smaller vehicle aids the delivery of existing service levels in areas of restriction.
Organizational:
Currently, the Handibus Coordinator oversees all aspects, except for fleet, of providing service information, registration and operations for this specialized transit service. During the pilot project and with the initial demand anticipated, existing Transit personnel can execute the tasks associated with the project. However, increased demand may result in additional resourcing being required.
The pilot will provide Administration with the opportunity to determine the impact of the new procedures on existing staffing resources, and where and if processes can be refined or perhaps incorporated into the DATS platform.
Risks
The risks associated with this pilot project are limited, as the practice of supplementing specialized transit with third-party wheelchair accessible vans is common in the region.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PLAN
This initiative most closely aligns with Council's Strategic Plan Priority #3 - Community well-being is of great importance for Council. They will ensure that they are responding to changing demographics and continuing to foster community where everybody has an opportunity to fully participate and feel welcomed.
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Strategy (IDEA)
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
E.1.2 Handibus Services - Specialized, shared ride, "door-to-door" transit services for residents of St. Albert, age 16+ who are unable to utilize conventional transit due to a physical or cognitive disability.
E.1.2.a Commuter and Local Handibus Services - Direct door-to-door pick up and drop off service to all destinations within St. Albert and to select destinations in Edmonton.
body
Report Date: September 9, 2025
Author(s): Will Steblyk, Manager, Transit Service Delivery
Department: Public Operations
Department Director: Tim Saunders
Managing Director: Dinu Alex
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher