What is STAR?
 A set of tools and information that will supply
Technical and Financial Support for agencies
wishing to provide transportation services to
seniors.
 A province-wide coordinating agency, that will
assist urban, rural and remote agencies in
helping seniors to age in place.
 A developer of programs for active living,
transitioning from driving, and public policy.
 A Social Enterprise whose activities are
charitable and is an initiative of BEST.
Who is behind STAR?
 BEST
 STAR is an idea from Better Environmentally Sound
Transportation (BEST).
 A non-profit since 1991 and a charitable society since
1994.
 Making transportation sustainable and affordable for
all British Columbians.
 Helping to develop BC’s transportation policy and
culture.
 A team dedicated to community well being, & skilled
in transportation and not-for-profit enterprises .
STAR Objectives
1.
Make transportation available,
accessible, and affordable for seniors
2.
Provide support to agencies servicing
communities of senior citizens
3.
Supply resources to enhance elder
servicing agencies’ programs.
STAR is in development,
and we need your input to
build it right. WE think….
Senior mobility services NEED to be
based in the community
Community agencies are “under the
gun”
Government will NOT be funding
needed solutions
There is a need to do things differently
The People of STAR
Seniors & their
Families
Community
Agencies
Community at
Large
Sponsors
Government
&
Foundations
Partners
The Work of STAR
Active Mobility
Programs – Walking after
surgery, adult tricycles
Ride Programs
Education
Providing resources &
software to support
agencies who provide
rides.
Driver Cessation and
Mature Driver Strategies
Policy & Advocacy
Web Tools (free)
Business planning guides,
relevant information and
statistics
Work with agencies on
transportation issues
Planning Services
Resources to assist
agencies to execute on
their business plans
How we envision STAR
Rides Working

Software


My Travel Accounts (MTA’s)


Tools for agencies to schedule, track, deploy and bill rides for
seniors
Secure, simple, and flexible account management and billing
Monthly Reports





Dates on which rides were taken
Total amount per ride
What subsidies and financial support are being provided
The net amount charged against their MTA each month
Agency reports include total rides, kilometres, number of clients,
and hundreds more details as needed.
How My Travel Accounts (MTA’s)
Work
 Riders can contribute on a per ride basis
 Riders and family can deposit funds into their MTA in advance
 STAR will deposit subsidies from sponsorships to all


participating agencies
Agencies can deposit subsidies from their own fundraising
activities
Trip costs are charged against the MTA

Each agency will determine how much to charge per ride.
 Riders receive monthly statements detailing the activities on
their account

How many rides they have taken, mileage, account activity and
balances, etc.
My Travel Accounts (MTA’s)
Payment Options
 Cash paid at time of the trip
 Pre-Payments
 Pre-authorized cheques
 Post-dated cheques
 PayPal
 Credit card
STAR ITA Process Flow
Registers with Agency for
rides.
Senior
Registers
Participants &
Completes Usage
Estimate
Calculator
Agency
STAR
Manages
MTA Holding
Mechanism
Books the Ride
& Schedules
Sends Report
to riders,
families and
agency
Tracks, records,
And calculates
Remits Fees to
Agency Based on Total
Cost per Ride
Calculation
Agency
STAR
STAR
Agency
Delivers
the Ride
Benefits to Seniors
 Easy to use – Once riders register then all they have to do is




call to book a ride
Easy to pay – Flexible payment options for riders and their
families
Easy to understand – Monthly account statements are sent
to seniors, their families and the agency
Secure – STAR and agency partner operations are designed
to be transparent
Affordable – A key objective of STAR is to use its size and
reach to develop funding that will lower the costs of rides.
Especially for those who need it the most.
STAR Benefits to Agencies

Administration – Automated booking, payment collection and
extensive record keeping.

Cash Flow Management – Agencies can choose to receive a
monthly remittance from STAR

A small fee is applied for this service.

Funding – STAR will generate sponsorships by leveraging its
partner agency network

Reporting – STAR provides detailed reports detailing the account
and rider activity of individual agencies

Relationships – Agencies deal directly with their own seniors and
have complete control of operations

Business supports – STAR acts as an expert advisor to agencies
on social enterprise issues
STAR
Where it is Now
 Pilot projects are underway at the following
agencies:
 Renfrew Collingwood, Langley, North Vancouver, and South
Vancouver are current locations
 Desired outcomes:
 Proof of Concept
 Refinement of Services
 Funding Development
Feedback and Input is
Requested
 Assessments of agency needs and potential
requirements of STAR
 Focus groups composed of seniors participating in
the program to evaluate MTA’s and make
recommendations for improvements
 Feasibility and Business Planning Tools
 What are we missing?
Ways to Support
 Organizational capacity in setting up meetings and focus
groups with seniors, agency staff and board
 Introductions to key players in the community who can
provide feedback and input
 Software testing
 Ask us to do a needs assessment for your agency
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about STAR, please contact
BEST today.
BEST - Better Environmentally Sound Transportation
209-175 East Broadway, Vancouver
604-669-2860
Margaret Mahan: [email protected]
Steve Beck: STAR operations and Software: [email protected]