Caso del desmovilizado de las FARC-EP Dimar Torres Contreras

Rider needs were determined using several approaches. Rider needs have been thoroughly discussed at Regional Transit Committee (RTC) meetings. This type of discussion is common at every RTC meeting. Ongoing discussion between dispatchers, human service organizations, transit systems, and individual riders assisted in the creation of this section. In some cases, human service organizations are unable to receive certain services for their clients. They often contact HSTP Coordinators to develop solutions. Rider needs are constantly evolving and so will transit systems in their ability to meet the needs.

The needs of the individuals using public transportation are diverse, yet there are many similarities. The primary needs that have been expressed in the region relate to medical, work, school, and specialized service needs of seniors and people with disabilities.

Medical transportation may in fact be the most common need for transportation. Individuals accessing medical facilities are often undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy and physical therapy. Each of these appointments can last anywhere from one (1) hour to four (4) hours. In nearly all cases, the individual undergoing this treatment is left exhausted and often unable to drive a personal automobile themselves.

Transportation to dialysis clinics is one of, if not, the largest need of individuals using rural transportation. Individuals undergoing dialysis generally require treatment three (3) times a week. There are usually two time tracks which patients use. Either they go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or they go Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. This second track is difficult for rural transit systems as many do not operate on Saturdays.

Obesity is the fastest growing epidemic in the United States. This impact is being seen by public transit systems more frequently. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation changed the rule on transporting individuals weighing over 600 pounds. Prior to the rule change, transit systems were only required to lift up to 600 pounds, but after the ruling, there is no longer a weight cap. All individuals must be provided transportation. Transit systems will be looking for ways to address this need.

Transit systems receive requests for early morning and nighttime job transportation. For early morning job transportation, transit systems are generally able to conduct the return trip from work, but they are unable to conduct the trip to work. Many transit systems begin their service between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. If the employee starts their shift at 7:00 am or earlier, they would

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be unable to utilize the transportation service. For nighttime job transportation, transit systems are generally able to get employees to their job, but since these individuals are working second shift, transit systems are unable to do the return trip. Many transit systems terminate service between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Many transit systems do not have the proper amount of funding to allow for this expansion of service.

A fast-growing, popular trip destination is to community colleges. There is a need for evening transportation to community colleges. Due to funding limitations and vehicle availability it is not always possible to conduct evening trips to community colleges. This is a growing need for students, staff, and faculty.

Many rural transit systems and transit service providers begin as human service agencies that respond to the needs of an individual clientele. For example, senior centers that have become providers of public transportation may be accustomed to giving seniors a certain amount of customer service as a part of their senior operation. Once they become public transportation providers, they may not be able to assist to the extent that they once were able to. This inevitably has an impact on customer service. These individuals expect individualized services, sometimes as simple as putting away their groceries or helping them through the door. When they do not receive these extra services they may become dissatisfied with the service. This can create a perceived lack of customer service.

In recent years, Illinois has closed several mental health facilities that provided service to individuals with disabilities. Many of these individuals are unable to obtain a license for one reason or another. If these individuals are to become functioning members of society they will need transportation to the same places that everyone else does. Without adequate transportation options these individuals are forced to live a life of solitude and may be unable to reach necessary resources.

A group with a large amount of unmet need is the veterans, especially those returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Public transportation to veterans and their families is critical. They need reliable transportation to many of the same places that everyone else does (grocery stores, doctor offices, work, etc.). Some veterans returning home are unable to continue to drive due to injuries sustained while serving their country, both mental and physical. Veterans are in regular need of transportation to Veteran Affair Clinics, many of which are beyond the boundaries of a single county.

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Section 3.02: Popular Trip Destinations

While the systems in Region 3 are county-wide, there is an increasing need for transportation outside of the respective counties. Not all counties have hospitals with the necessary resources to treat all ailments. Many people must travel outside of their county and into neighboring counties or sometimes into other states to receive medical services. Without rural transportation many of these individuals would not be able to attend necessary medical appointments to prevent, manage, or eliminate medical conditions. In order to coordinate these trips transit systems have to work with one another to provide these trips.

In December of 2011, a survey was distributed to four (4) rural transit systems in Region 3. Three (3) systems returned completed surveys. This survey was meant to gain an understanding of where people are going with respect to hospitals, dialysis centers, veteran’s assistance centers, and social security offices. A full description of the findings of this survey can be found in Appendix C: Popular Trip Destinations Survey.

Bureau-Putnam Area Rural Transit (BPART)

The vast majority of medical trips that BPART conducts are in-county trips. For dialysis, BPART riders usually travel to Renal Care Group Spring Valley in Spring Valley, and for general medical trips, riders tend to visit either Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton or St Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley.

There is a small need for out-of-county trips for medical needs. Out-of-county destinations include: Community General Hospital Medical Center in Sterling, Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Order of St. Francis Medical Center and Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Order of St. Francis – St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, Mendota Community Hospital in Mendota, and Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich.

Bureau and Putnam counties do not have a Veteran’s Assistance Center or a social security office; therefore, its residents must travel into other counties to receive these services. BPART’s riders travel to the La Salle Veterans Clinic in Peru and/or the social security office in Peru.

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Grundy Transit System (GTS)

GTS was not originally a part of the “Popular Trip Destinations Survey”. The following information was received from GTS, independent of the survey:

GTS conducts medical trips both inside and outside of Grundy County. For most medical trips GTS riders travel to Coal City, but many medical trips travel to Joliet. Most in-county trips are conducted to Liberty Medical in Coal City and most out-of-county trips are conducted to Madison Medical Center in Joliet. When riders are receiving dialysis treatment they usually stay inside of Grundy County. These individuals utilize services from Silver Cross Dialysis Center or Fresenius Medical Care, both of which are in the City of Morris.

All trips for Veteran Assistance Center are referred to the local Veterans Assistance Center.

Grundy County does not have a Social Security Office; therefore, its residents must travel into other counties to receive this service. GTS riders travel to the Social Security Office in Joliet.

Kendall Area Transit (KAT)

This following information was received from KAT, independent of the survey:

KAT has little need to travel far beyond the borders of Kendall County. The City of Aurora lies just beyond the northeast edge of the county. For out-of-county medical, veteran, and social security office needs, KAT takes riders to Aurora more than any other destination.

The majority of medical trips that KAT conducts are out-of-county. These trips typically go into Aurora. The two primary hospitals travelled to are the Rush Copley Medical Center and Provena Mercy Medical Center. For dialysis treatment, KAT riders typically stay in Kendall County and either visit the Oswego Dialysis Center or the Yorkville Dialysis Center.

Kendall County does not have a Veteran’s Assistance Center or a social security office; therefore, its residents must travel into other counties to receive these services. For veteran services, KAT riders travel to Aurora’s Veterans Clinic and for social security services, KAT riders travel to the social security office in Aurora.

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Lee-Ogle Transportation System (LOTS)

The vast majority of LOTS medical trips are conducted within Lee or Ogle County. For general medical trips, most riders travel to Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon. In addition to this hospital, several riders also travel to Rochelle Community Hospital. In cases where the individual needs dialysis, they chose to travel to either the Dixon Dialysis Center or the DaVita Dixon Kidney Center, both of which are in Dixon.

Despite the large volume of in-county rides going to medical facilities, there is still a need to leave Lee and Ogle counties. Community General Hospital - Sterling was cited as the most popular out-of-county medical destination. Sterling is in adjacent Whiteside County. Other destinations include: Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb; Rockford Memorial Hospital, Order of St. Francis - St. Anthony Medical Center, and Swedish American Health System in Rockford; Freeport Health Network in Freeport; and the Mendota Community Hospital in Mendota. In total, these facilities are established in five (5) different counties that are outside of Lee and Ogle counties.

Lee and Ogle Counties do not have a Veteran’s Assistance Center; therefore, its residents must travel into other counties in order to receive these services. LOTS riders travel to the Veteran’s Assistance Centers in Freeport and Rockford. At the time of this survey a new Veteran’s Assistance Center was set to open in Sterling. LOTS indicated that they will be providing transportation to this facility. Sterling is much closer to Dixon than the Freeport and Rockford facilities. The opening of this center will change current travel patterns.

Lee and Ogle counties do not have a social security office; therefore, its residents must travel into other counties to receive this service. LOTS riders travel to the social security office in Sterling.

TransVAC

Medical trips for TransVAC riders are divided. For individuals looking to satisfy their general medical needs, they usually visit hospitals outside of DeKalb County; of which Northwestern Hospital in Chicago is the most common destination. For individuals traveling to dialysis centers, they usually travel within the county; DaVita Sycamore is the most common destination. Most of the medical traffic for TransVAC goes to the east toward the Chicago-area, but there is a small need to head north to Rockford. When leaving DeKalb County, riders have chosen a myriad of medical destinations including the following: Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon; Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood; Provena Mercy Center and Rush-Copely Medical Center in Aurora; Rockford Memorial Hospital, Van Matre Health South Rehabilitation

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Hospital, Order of St. Francis - St. Anthony Medical Center, and Swedish American Health System in Rockford; Sherman Health System and Provena St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elgin; Rochelle Community Hospital in Rochelle; Northwestern Hospital, Rush Hospital, and the University of Chicago all of which are in Chicago; and Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich. In total, TransVAC travels to five (5) counties outside of their county for non- emergency, medical transport.

Compared with the rest of Region 3, TransVAC has a larger number of veteran transportation. DeKalb County does not have a veteran’s assistance centers in the county, so riders are required to leave the county to obtain these services. Riders travel to clinics in Aurora, Chicago, Elgin, Hines, and Rockford. The most common center for transport is the Hines Clinic which is a part of Loyola University Medical Center in Cook County. The second most popular destination is the Rockford VA in Winnebago County.

DeKalb County does not have a social security office so its residents must travel out of county to obtain these services. Riders travel to offices in Elgin and Oakbrook.

Popular Trip Destination’s Map

Figure 3.1 illustrates the travel trends for transportation to popular destinations relating to medical centers, dialysis centers, veterans assistance centers, and social security offices. Each line color represents one (1) of these four (4) groups. A thick line indicates a more popular route, while a thin line indicates a less popular route. The red circle with an “X” through it denotes a transit system. As of the drafting of this map, NCAT was not a part of the survey; therefore, it was not included on this map.

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Popular Trip Destinations Map

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Section IV: Gaps Analysis