Harris County Transit – Harris County RIDES

Harris County RIDES is a unique, coordinated demand-response transportation program formed in 2003 that provides specialized transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and vulnerable low-income populations who live outside of the Houston METRO service area or are unable to access METRO services. It is a “fill in the gaps” service designed to help targeted individuals remain independent within communities. This is a countywide service, serving 1,778 square miles and available 24/7, 365 days of the year. The program also provides mobility management services.

What makes this innovative?

RIDES operates as an electronic voucher program. Rides for eligible riders are subsidized at 50 percent for each trip. The ride subsidy is either paid by one of the 35 partner agencies or the riders themselves. The remaining 50 percent is paid by RIDES using FTA Section 5310 funding. In addition, mobility management is provided to clients to promote independence in the community whether using RIDES or other transportation resources. Once funds are loaded on the card, the rider can travel anywhere within Harris County or into neighboring counties within certain parameters.

Harris County RIDES coordinates with local nonprofits, human services organizations, local transportation providers and public transportation to avoid duplication of services. Before the implementation of RIDES, many nonprofit organizations and community centers offered transportation using vans, which created significant overhead costs for drivers, vehicles, insurance and schedulers. With RIDES, these organizations simply fund fares on an electronic card for each of their clients and RIDES picks them up. Partner agency transportation budgets go farther because of the 50-percent match by RIDES. Trip data, participant lists, or other management reports that agencies may need are available to them by password access into the RIDES database management system.

Lessons Learned and Replication Advice:

› Secure a champion to obtain community leader and governmental support. Engagement with a coalition of supportive community stakeholders is also important.

› Document the need in your community. In this example, an outside consultant was contracted to conduct a study, funded by the MPO organization, to reveal and document what was already known: There were gaps in services for seniors and people with disabilities.

› Expect bumps and obstacles along the way, but don’t be discouraged. Be forward thinking!