Transportation Coordination: Benefits and Barriers Exist, and Planning Efforts211 Progress Slowly

摘要

For several decades, many human services agencies have provided special211u001etransportation services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and others 211u001ethrough programs funded and administered by the Department of Health and Human 211u001eServices (HHS). Local human services agencies providing these services have often 211u001epurchased and operated their own vehicles or purchased transportation services 211u001efrom others. The estimates of overall spending on transportation by HHS programs 211u001ein fiscal year 1998 ranged from about $2 billion to $3.5 billion. Similarly, the 211u001eFederal Transit Administration (FTA), within the Department of Transportation 211u001e(DOT), awards grants to local transit operators to provide assistance for general 211u001epublic transportation systems, such as bus and subway systems, and also makes 211u001eawards for special purposes, such as grants and loans for the special needs of 211u001eelderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. Transportation 211u001ecoordination can reduce federal transportation program costs by clustering 211u001epassengers, utilizing fewer one-way trips, and sharing the use of transportation 211u001epersonnel, equipment, and facilities. In addition, people in need of 211u001etransportation often benefit from the greater and higher quality transportation 211u001eservices available when transportation providers coordinate their operations.