Rural transit services: where counties can go for help

By James Davenport
Senior Associate, County Services Department

Providing access to transportation for those with special needs is a critical issue for counties, and is especially acute for people in sparsely populated rural areas where public transit may not be available.

According to a report recently released through the USDA, the 1990s saw rural public transportation services grow because of increased federal funding through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) legislation, with non-metro providers offering 62 percent more passenger trips, and 60 percent more vehicles (vans and buses). However, less than 10 percent of federal funding for public transportation went to rural areas.

Public transportation is available in 60 percent of rural counties, with 28 percent of about 1,200 systems offering only limited service (less than 25 trips taken each year per no-car household). With access to many federal programs for the disadvantaged contingent on public transportation, rural areas without transit may be unable to address the mobility needs of the elderly, handicapped and poor.

The U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Transit Administration (FTA), along with other federal agencies, is working to identify mutual needs and goals and improve public transportation through increased coordination in rural and suburban areas. In fact, FTA, along with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education support a range of technical assistance initiatives for coordinating human service transportation.

These programs and centers are charged with providing training, resources and direct assistance to communities and states interested in enhancing the mobility and transportation options for all citizens, including older adults, individuals with disabilities and people with lower incomes.

One of the programs specifically aimed at the needs of rural areas is the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP). The National RTAP, administered by the American Public Works Association, provides outreach and training to each state’s RTAP and coordinates with other organizations involved in rural transit. Products and services are identified, developed, promoted and disseminated through each state’s RTAP manager.

The National RTAP also works with the Community Transportation Association of America to operate a national toll-free telephone line, a Web page, a national peer-to-peer technical assistance network and offers various presentations and publications, and fulfillment services for National RTAP products.

There are a number of programs, many county-based, providing transit services for those most-in-need living in rural areas. Hubbard County, Minn., a rural county with a population of 18,000 and land area of 1,000 square miles, has such a program in place.

The county established the Hubbard County Heartland Express (HE) in 1989 that provides curb-to-curb transportation service for all residents of Hubbard County. Service includes general bus routes that can deviate up to four miles, dial-a-car service with volunteer drivers and city bus services. The HE coordinates transportation services with agencies, both within and outside of the county and works with an advisory committee that includes representatives of participating agencies. Final decision authority, however, rests with the county and participating municipalities.

The service operates three vehicles, had a 2004 operating budget of $185,742 and provided 20,375 trips during the year. Including its dial-a-car service, HE transported 1,707 people in 2004.

Public transportation for the county began after social services director Daryl Bessler worked through Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Office of Transit to secure the initial grant. The current transit coordinator started the program, initially coordinating public transit services with two agencies. The program has since grown to include service contracts with the education agencies throughout the region. Now, the coordinator also communicates regularly with state representatives to build and maintain support.

"Coordination of trips with other county systems and providers helps with the cost-effectiveness of the system. Also, by offering connections to private shuttle services and intercity bus lines, the HE helps the county residents meet their transportation needs. HE provides a sense of independence to those who have had to rely on others to meet their transportation needs," said Floyd Frank, County Commission Chair.

The biggest issues the county faces in providing the transit service include funding Ñ always a continuing concern, especially with the potential of state budget cuts, and providing access to employment for people with limited mobility in such a rural area.

Technical assistance from Mn/DOT has been helpful, especially in developing the coordination service model. Mn/DOT required counties to address coordination of services as part of their grant award process.

Additional information on the HE program and many others is available from a report released by the Transportation Research Board Toolkit for Rural Community Coordinated Transportation Services at www.nationalrtap.org.

Information on these programs is available on the United We Ride Web site (Coordinating Human Services Transportation) at www.unitedweride.gov/1_123_ENG_HTML.htm.

For more information on the NACo/NADO Research Foundation Rural Transportation Project, contact James Davenport at jdavenpo@naco.org or 202/661-8807.