No-shows for public transportation remain a problem

Jul 29, 2010 — Richmond County Daily Journal

Philip D. Brown

Jul. 29, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- While Richmond County taxpayers are spending six figures annually to transport clients of social services programs like WorkFirst to their school, job or appointments, in many instances they don't show up for the ride.

"We pay for all no-shows, and, yes, they are a constant problem when offering these services," said Social Services Director Tammy Schrenker.

In June, of 241 trips taken by ART to pick up social services clients, there were 50 no-shows, accounting for about 15 to 20 percent of the agency's transportation expenses.

In May there were 25 no-shows. In April, there were 46 and in March there were 43.

For social services, each no-show for an ART transportation appointment costs $8.40. For taxicabs it is charged by the mile.

"We do have a policy to deal with no-shows," Schrenker explained Wednesday. "Sometimes, they are truly an emergency, so we try to find out exactly what happened, and if it was just because they forgot or they weren't ready when their transportation got there, we follow the suspension process. Our clients can be suspended for up to 30 days from this program."

The process works like this: A first offense warrants a warning, a second offense can be a three-day suspension.

Schrenker pointed out people seeking help from the state often have more emergencies than those who have a stable lifestyle and social services tries to work with them.

"But there are times when someone just doesn't want to get up, and we deal with those by suspending them from using our transportation, which means they can't get their hours, which means they can't get their checks," she said.

While this money is being spent, private companies in the transportation industry feel they're being left out in the cold.

"They're making more for no-shows than I'm making for transporting people," Central Taxi Owner Alvin Blackmon said earlier this week. "And I've got to pay for gas and insurance and everything else the taxpayers are paying for with these (ART) vans."

He is disputing the fairness of DSS's contractual process under which ART gets the bulk of transportation business for their subsidized trips. Before the suspension policy was put in place, the problem of no-shows wreaked more havoc on the county's social services budget.

During the month of October 2009, the month before the policy was put in place, $966 was paid for no-shows out of $1,223 in total transportation costs.

"Through our suspension policy, we've been able to cut them to the point we're at now," Schrenker said. "We want people to get the services, but we want them to do so responsibly.

A flier advertising the "RGP Rules" -- those which apply to elderly Medicaid clients -- says a client who is a no-show twice in a week will have their transportation canceled, and will have to consult their social worker before they can ride again.

"If you miss the transportation van, or you know you will not be riding the following day it is your responsibility to call the ART office and your social worker to inform them," the letter reads.

The letter also points out only in-county trips can be offered, which rules out trips to Pinehurst.

Despite the no-shows, Schrenker said she believes in the services being offered, and their ability to help people transform their lives so their taxes can one day send someone else to school or work-training.

"One thing you have to understand is that these are supportive services," Schrenker explained. "If we can't help these people with transportation, we can't help these people to improve their lives."

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1513-47428548