FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Wrinn
Vice President of Corporate Communications
(770) 907-7596, ext. 437
ATLANTA, GA, February 25, 2003 – LogistiCare Inc., the nation's leading specialized transportation network manager, today recognized 14 months of continuous performance improvement by its dedicated provider group that services "MetroAccess," the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service to the Washington DC metropolitan area. LogistiCare is the outsourced contract holder to the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA), which runs the MetroAccess ADA paratransit system. MetroAccess services the disability community in the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland.
Seven of the nine dedicated providers that sub-contract with LogistiCare to provide the MetroAccess transportation service are small- and/or minority-owned businesses. At a reception to be held this evening in Silver Springs, Md., LogistiCare will recognize its dedicated MetroAccess provider group for achieving and exceeding all performance goals in 2002. The businesses recognized are Battles Transportation; CAWEO-Transportation; Challenger Transportation; Faith Services Transportation, Inc.; Metro-Health Tec Services; Paratransit Services, Paramed, Wheelchair Mobile and US One.
In 2002, the efforts of LogistiCare and these small- and/or minority-owned businesses resulted in the MetroAccess system experiencing nearly a 40 percent increase in reservation and trip demand as compared to 2001, while achieving all performance goals. Out of more than 875,000 completed MetroAccess trips last year, 93 percent were completed on time (based on a pick up time variable of 15 minutes), and complaint incidences decreased by nearly 50 percent (total complaints per 1,000 trips averaged to 4).
Since 2000, when LogistiCare assumed management of MetroAccess, ridership has increased from an average of 20,000 trips a month to 75,000 trips a month.
According to LogistiCare chairman and CEO, John L. Shermyen, the relationship between his company and small and minority business owners is a win for everyone involved.
"Each of these business owners has supported LogistiCare in meeting and exceeding its contract goals to WMATA. In return, LogistiCare has helped them to thrive as business entities through our offerings of business consulting, a reliable revenue source and additional growth opportunities," he explained. "And all of us involved with MetroAccess have the gratification of knowing we have in some small measure improved the quality of life for the disability community in the metro-D.C. area."
Shermyen noted that the relationship with the MetroAccess providers is an example of how LogistiCare, through its innovative transportation outsourcing solution, works with small, minority- and women-owned businesses to provide opportunities for growth and economic advancement.
"In today's economy of limited resources, it's essential to rethink how to deliver essential services," adds Shermyen. "You need to have innovation, which we have. Through our association with these small business owners, we have developed a network that is delivering one of the most successful ADA paratransit system in the United States."
MetroHealth – Tech Service Inc., one of the dedicated MetroAccess providers typifies LogistiCare's relationship with small business owners. Naturalized American citizen Jude Nyambi owns MetroHealth. Mr. Nyambi immigrated to the United States from Cameroon in 1996. In 1999, Mr. Nyambi joined the MetroAccess transportation network with one vehicle he drove himself. Since then he has expanded his business to several vehicles and drivers in his employ.
"First, I want to extend appreciation on behalf of MetroHealth for the opportunity to participate in the MetroAccess program," said Nyambi. "Our relationship with LogistiCare, and its contract with MetroAccess has helped us in managing our various business needs, such as insurance, gas and vehicle maintenance. I feel like they (LogistiCare) really want to help us, and I certainly appreciate that. Our work for MetroAccess has been challenging at times, but it has been a big plus. It has helped us grow."
Shermyen noted that beyond its contract with WMATA, LogistiCare on a national basis strongly supports its relationship and outreach to small, minority- and women-owned businesses.
"LogistiCare's commitment to work with small, minority- and women-owned businesses is a key component to our unique approach to managing outsourced transportation programs," he explained. "In our experience, small local companies often deliver the best customer service, based on their unique knowledge of the geography and customers. Utilizing small local companies, combined with the technology, training, and quality assurance from a larger management company produces a flexible and responsive transportation infrastructure," he said.
"Plus, as every one knows," he added, "the success of the small business enterprise is crucial to sustained economic growth in this country. Our commitment to foster and support the ongoing business of small, local transportation providers benefits our respective bottom lines, as well as the customers and communities we serve. It's a commitment that's growing on a daily basis."
LogistiCare pioneered the transportation network management system or "brokerage" concept, which offers government and commercial organizations a complete, single contract, outsourcing solution for their specialized transportation needs. LogistiCare's market approach centralizes management of certain gatekeeping processes through network operations centers, while managing through regional offices a network of multiple transportation companies to deliver the actual trip service. LogistiCare's sophisticated network operations center technology in combination with field management of local transportation companies, or "providers," ensures the appropriate level of service (e.g., ambulatory, stretcher, and wheelchair) is provided in the most efficient and satisfactory manner. Prior to this approach, a fragmented system of multiple providers offering varying levels of service existed. Network operation centers manage call center operations, including eligibility screening, reservations, billing, reporting and IT support. Regional offices manage networks of commercial, non-profit and public transportation providers. Regional office management ensure proper provider relations, facility outreach, quality assurance, and in many instances routing and dispatching.
In the metro-D.C. area, LogistiCare employs 100 people and operates a regional office and network operations center in Silver Springs, Md., to provide MetroAccess, the ADA paratransit service for the greater metropolitan D.C. area. In 2000, the company won a contract with the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide MetroAccess to people with disabilities in the District of Columbia; Northern Virginia; and Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. On an annual basis, the company handles more than 900,000 calls to arrange more than 877,000 trips for more than 11,500 members of the disabled community. LogistiCare utilizes more than 16 local transportation companies to provide the actual MetroAccess trip service. Of these transportation providers, 60 percent are small and/or minority-owned businesses. In addition to extensive health care facility outreach, the company regularly advises and consults with numerous disability advocacy associations and groups and actively participates in The Elderly and Handicapped Transportation Advisory Committee to WMATA, and the Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM).
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., LogistiCare is the nation's leading manager of outsourced specialized transportation network management services for government agencies, managed care organizations, self-funded insurers, hospitals, transit authorities and school boards. The company currently holds more than 25 contracts in seven states and the District of Columbia and manages a national network of more than 1,000 transportation providers. Its 23 office locations throughout the United States coordinate over 7 million trips for more than 3 million recipients each year. LogistiCare originated as a software solutions developer and later evolved into an outsourcing company based on the success of its proprietary management software. Its services are distinguished by an emphasis on customer service and quality assurance, complemented by the most advanced technology, including telephone, Internet, mobile data, global positioning systems and other wireless devices.
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