“Getting Around Puget Sound” trains Travel Ambassadors
Helping people of all abilities use public transportation
Client: Sound Transit of Seattle, Washington
Services: Project Management, Planning
April 2008
FLT was hired by Western Washington regional transit provider Sound Transit to produce a comprehensive transportation resource guide for special needs residents. It was developed as a “train the trainer” program for use by social service professionals, resource agencies, accessibility programs and medical professionals to assist their clients in meeting transportation needs. Funding for the project was provided through New Freedom grants.
The program’s curriculum was developed with the cooperation of a consortium of transit providers, travel trainers, and special needs transportation providers. FLT Consulting facilitated discussions with stakeholders throughout the development of the program to ensure all areas of concern were addressed and that the vast transportation resources in the region were fully represented.
Materials for the program include a training manual and a CD with the manual text, a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes, and master slides, allowing for updates and customization of the information. The manual covers a wide variety of transportation topics including fundamentals of riding the bus, the ADA and how it applies to public transportation, school transportation and various options for getting around the Puget Sound region.
The CD proved to be a key element in the success of the program, providing case managers and social services professionals with detailed information that can be adapted to suit the needs of their clients or for presentations to other staff members. The fluidity of the program enables trainers to keep information applicable and accurate, ensuring their audience receives exactly the information relevant to their needs.
The curriculum was used to develop the Bus Buddy program, currently operating in King County. Materials from the chapters on the fundamentals of riding the bus are used to train volunteers who then assist novice transit riders. Many of the volunteers are proficient in several languages and can assist limited-English-speaking new riders in their native language. The Bus Buddy program offers both one-on-one training for new riders and group excursions for organizations that serve seniors, immigrant and refugee agencies, and youth organizations.
Outcomes through September 2009
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228 Travel Ambassadors were trained using the "Getting Around Puget
Sound" curriculum. -
21 Travel Ambassador workshops were developed around the curriculum
in King and Snohomish counties. -
4 new Bus Buddy volunteers were trained in Snohomish County.
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12 Bus Buddy group excursions were held in King County, serving
multiple first-time transit riders in each excursion.