APPENDIX 7: Focus Group Discussion Guide

I Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)

Welcome, my name is __________ and I will be discussion leader (moderator)

Work as researcher--not an expert on subject matter
Has anyone participated in a focus group before?
Purpose of this group--investigate transportation issues relevant to people over 60
and those of any age with disabilities
Explain who was invited to group and why
Project background and funding
Going to ask a number of questions, but no right/wrong answers
Everybody expected to participate, but dont need to respond to every question
Please direct all comments to me, please speak one at a time
Explanation of observers
Session will be audio recorded, makes it easier to write report
Session will last two hours
May need to cut people off in interest of time; have a lot of material to cover

Today we're going to be discussing transportation needs and services for persons over 60
and those with disabilities in the Benton-Lincoln-Linn county area. Lets begin by
having everyone introduce themselves to the group. Please tell us what organization you
represent, what your position is, how long you've worked there, and what populations
you serve--in terms of age groups, disabilities, or some other population?
II General Perceptions of Transportation for Persons over 60 and Persons with
Disabilities
First, let me offer some basic definitions for what we'll be discussing. In addition to
talking about transportation for persons 60 years of age and older, we'll also be talking
about transportation for persons with disabilities. By persons with disabilities I'm
referring to a liberal definition, including persons with conditions ranging from self-care
or mobility limitations to complete inability to work--and conditions of both temporary or
permanent nature. Furthermore, we're talking about disabilities that may be physical,
emotional, mental, developmental, etc.
First of all, when I say "public transportation services" what things come to mind?

To get a general idea about how you feel about public transportation available to persons
60 and over and persons with disabilities in the tri-county area, let me next ask: Do you
think the current public transportation services available to persons 60 and over and
persons with disabilities in the tri-county area serve most of the need, some of the need,
or very little of the total transportation need? Please raise your hand if you think . . . most
. . . some . . . very little? Those of you who said "most," why do you feel that way?
Those of you who said "some" or "very little" why do you feel that way? Do you think
public transportation services are equally available and useful for both persons 60 and
older and persons with disabilities, or is one group better served than the other?
What specific gaps or shortcomings, if any, in public transportation service to persons 60
and over and persons with disabilities do you see? Are these gaps primarily due to hours
or days of operation, areas of service, criteria for service, ease of scheduling, cost of
service, accessibility of vehicles, or something else?
What kinds of trips are most difficult for persons 60 and over and persons with
disabilities to find transportation for? Are they social, medical, shopping, or work trips?
In terms of service area, is the biggest difficulty finding transportation within counties or
between Benton, Lincoln, and Linn counties? Is the biggest problem getting from rural
areas to cities, getting around within cities, or getting between cities?
How well do transportation services provided by private and non-profit organizations fill
the gaps in public transportation service to these groups? Specifically, what gaps are such
organizations best at filling--subsidizing cost of service for those who can't afford it,
scheduling transportation for those in need, providing medical transportation, providing
trips to church, etc.? Can you think of private or non-profit transportation services that
you think could be models for public transportation and why?
III Reactions to Results from Provider-Administrator Survey
In spring of this year, we conducted a mail survey of transportation providers and social
service administrators in the tri-county area regarding transportation issues among
persons 60 and over and persons with disabilities. I would like to share some of the
results of the survey with you and get your reactions. We received 40 responses to our
mailing; in fact, some of you may have been survey respondents. I'll now hand out some
tables of responses, and we can look at the statistics and talk about what they mean.
Adequacy of current public transportation (QA14). Is it possible for public transportation
to meet "all" needs of persons 60 and older and persons with disabilities? What is an
adequate level of service? In which counties or geographical areas is need greatest?
Types of trips most difficult on public transportation (QA16). Why are such trips most
difficult on public transportation? What could be done to make them easier?

Importance rankings for service improvements (Q19A-T). What, specifically, do these

most needed service improvements mean? How would these service improvements be
executed and who should execute them? Should they be public, private, or both? Can
you think of other service improvements we did not ask about?
Types of public transportation services most needed (QA17). What, specifically, would
these most needed services look like? What would they offer in terms of routes, hours,
vehicles, eligibility for service, etc? Where should the funding come from for these
services? How much public support do you feel there is for tax-based funding?
IV Reactions to Results from User Survey
As an additional component of our research agenda, earlier this summer we conducted a
representative telephone survey of persons 60 and older, persons with disabilities, and
special transportation users in the tri-county area. I would also like to share some of the
results of this survey with you and get your reactions. We interviewed a total of just over
700 tri-county residents. I'll now hand out some tables of question responses, and we can
look at the statistics and talk about what they mean.
Type of transportation used most often (Q6). What unmet transportation needs might
people who normally drive themselves around have, if any? Why aren't some of the
public transportation services used more often as the regular, usual form of transportation
for persons 60 and over and persons with disabilities?
Communities that lack of transportation prevent travel to (Q10A). What do you think
prevents persons 60 and over and persons with disabilities from traveling to these
communities? What should be done to remedy the situation?
Dial-a-Ride services aware of in the area (Q15). Why is awareness higher for some
services than others? What might be done to increase awareness of these services?
Interest in various transportation services for persons 60 and over and persons with
disabilities (Q30A-F). The proportion "very interested" in each of these services is the
best indication of the true proportion of the 60 and over and disabled population that will
actually support and use the services? Do these proportions strike you as relatively low
or relatively high? Given the level interest in these services, is there truly a need for new
services?

V Reactions to Qualitative Research

As yet another component of our research agenda, we interviewed people using medical
facilities in each of the three counties to discuss the need for transportation services for
people with temporary, medical-related, physical disabilities. Please review the attached
sheet that summarizes some selected results of these interviews. How significant is this
issue? Does it affect some groups or types of people more than others? What types of
solutions that we have already talked about could help address these needs?
VI Wrap-up (5 minutes)
In closing, what specific advice would you give a committee that wishes to better serve
the transportation needs of persons 60 and over and persons with disabilities in Benton,
Lincoln, and Linn counties?
Thanks for your time and participation. You may sign for your incentive payments at the
reception desk. Please drive safely.

Opinion of
Current Public
Transportation
Meets all needs
Meets some
needs
Meets small part
of needs
Meets none of
the needs
No response

Adequacy of Current Public Transportation

-Transportation providers and Social service administratorsTable 1
Type of Organization
Service Area
Social
Transp.
Service
Benton
Linn
Total Providers
Providers
County
County
(n=40)
(n=15)
(n=25)
(n=19)
(n=29)
3%
0%
4%
0%
0%
18
27
12
16
21

Lincoln
County
(n=14)
0
7

75

67

80

79

76

93

Question A14: How would you rate the ability of public transportation in the tri-county area to provide trips where and when
persons 60 and over and persons with mobility limitations need them?

Trip Type
Evening Trips
Medical
Weekend trips
Social or
recreational
Personal business
Long distance trips
Shopping
Work
School
Meal Programs
None

Types of Trips Most Difficult on Public Transportation

-Transportation providers and Social service administratorsTable 2
Type of Organization
Service Area*
Social
Transp.
Service
Benton
Linn
Total Providers
Providers
County
County
(n=40)
(n=15)
(n=25)
(n=19)
(n=29)
63%
73%
56%
58%
66%
60
67
56
47
72
55
60
52
58
52
53
53
52
53
45
53
50
48
33
10
10
3

53
60
53
47
20
7
7

53
44
44
24
4
12
0

53
58
37
16
5
11
0

55
55
52
34
7
10
3

Lincoln
County
(n=14)
50%
64
57
50
64
50
57
36
7
14
0

Question A16: For what types of trips do you think those with mobility limitations and other impairments have difficulty obtaining
public transportation?
*The category for those serving areas outside tri-county is excluded, thus percentages across service areas do not average to the total.

Figure 1
Importance Ranking for STF Service Improvements, Total
-Transportation providers and Social service administrators who Rated "Very Important" Total
57%

Services easier to use

55%

Greater number of door to door rides available

Longer hours of operation

53%
50%

More days of operation

48%

Easier scheduling of trips by phone

Better/more convenient connections w ith neighboring
transit services

45%

Employees more know ledgeable about people w ith

special needs

38%

More reliable service

33%

More availability of w heelchair accessible vehicles

33%
30%

More reliable on time pickups and arrivals

More reliable on time drop offs and departures

28%

More fixed route service

25%

Vehicles more suited to uses' needs

25%

More availability of schedules for the sight-impaired

25%

Printed schedules that are easier to understand

23%

Better/easier arrangement for securing w heelchairs on

the vehicles

23%

Low er fares

23%
13%

Vehicles in better condition

Easier to identify vehicles
More TTY/TD availability

10%
5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100
%
Question19A-T: Please rate the importance of the following public transportation service improvements for persons 60 and over and
persons with mobility limitations in the Tri-county area. Response scale=very important, somewhat important, not very
important, or not at all important.

Service Needed
Dial-a-ride service
Companion
Transportation
Routes connecting
cities/rural areas
Coordinated
dispatch
Fixed-route service
Tailored Routes
Mileage
reimbursement
Taxi and bus
subsidy
Group home
transportation
Other

Types of Public Transportation Services Most Needed

-Transportation providers and Social service administratorsTable 3
Type of Organization
Service Area*
Social
Transp.
Service
Benton
Linn
Total Providers
Providers
County
County
(n=40)
(n=15)
(n=25)
(n=19)
(n=29)
78%
73%
80%
68%
79%
57
40
68
63
62

Lincoln
County
(n=14)
86%
71

50

60

44

58

48

64

38

40

36

42

34

43

35
30
30

53
27
20

24
32
36

26
21
32

34
28
34

29
43
36

23

20

24

26

17

50

23

33

16

16

24

36

16

Question A17: Overall, which of the following types of public transportation services are most needed or most in need of
improvement in the tri-county area to serve those 60 and over and those with mobility limitations?
*The category for those serving areas outside tri-county is excluded, thus percentages across service areas do not average to the total.

Type of Transportation Used Most Often

-Tri-County residentsTable 4
Special
Transport.
60+ with no
60+ with
Transportation Method
Users
disability
disability
(n=159)
(n=286)
(n=52)
Drive self
11%
95%
68%
Drive by family member/caregiver
21
2
26
Dial-a-bus
38
1
3
Public Transit
10
0
1
Misc. other
11
1
1
Question 6: What type of transportation do you usually use to get to and from places?

Under 60 with
disability
(n=215)
66%
19
1
7
1

Communities that Lack of Transportation Prevents Travel To

-Tri-County residentsTable 5
Special
Transport.
60+ with no
60+ with
County/Community
Users
disability
disability
(n=159)
(n=286)
(n=52)
Any Linn County communities
44%
9%
22%
Any Benton County communities
38
8
22
Any Lincoln County communities
35
8
21
None/no problems
42
85
69

Under 60 with
disability
(n=215)
31%
24
22
59

Question 10a: Thinking about your personal situation, does lack of transportation ever prevent you from traveling to any of the
following communities?

Dial-a-Ride Services Aware of in Area

-Tri-County residentsTable 6
Persons 60+ and/or
Service
with disabilities
(n=554)
Albany call-a-ride
5%
Corvallis-Benton County dial-a-bus
14
Sweet Home dial-a-bus
7
Lebanon dial-a-ride
4
Lincoln County transit district dial-a-ride
9
None in area
10
Don't know name, but know there's one in area
49

Special Transport. Users

(n=159)
13%
22
6
6
26
3
11

Question 15: What are the names of the dial-a-ride services that are offered by the public agencies in your area, even if you don't
use them?

Interest in new and improved services for persons 60+ and those with disabilities
-Tri-County residents who rate "very interested"Table 7
Special
Under 60 with
Transport.
60+ with no
60+ with
disability
Service/improvement
Users
disability
disability
(n=159)
(n=286)
(n=52)
(n=215)
Regular fixed-route services for the
38%
25%
30%
51%
general public
Local dial-a-ride service
57
18
31
51
Scheduled shuttles between
49
23
39
52
residential areas and major
medical, work, or shopping
locations
Regularly scheduled routes between
26
15
23
38
cities and rural communities
Mileage reimbursement programs for
36
29
40
46
volunteer drivers when no other
transportation is available
Discounts for taxis and private bus
43
22
35
52
service
Question 30a-f: Would you be very interested, somewhat interested, or not interested in a . . . ?