Human Service Transportation Coordination

SAFETEA-LU, the latest federal transportation funding bill, requires new levels of coordination in order to acquire federal funding for human service transportation provision. Human service transportation programs can range from vehicle-purchase grants for senior centers to car loan programs for low-income workers.

The funding bill provides for three human service transportation programs. The first is a continuation of the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310). The second is an updated Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) (Section 5316), which has changed from earmark program to formula-based distribution. Finally, New Freedom (Section 5317) is a new program that funds new services or projects that go beyond ADA requirements.

SAFETEA-LU also adds new requirements. The first is that all three programs must now be derived from a "locally developed coordinated plan." Secondly, JARC and New Freedom program funds require designation of a recipient who is responsible for hosting a competitive bidding process for projects seeking 5316 or 5317 funding.

The TPB began its efforts in Human Service Transportation Coordination in January 2006, by forming a Human Service Transportation Coordination ad hoc group. This ad hoc group was composed of transit service providers, human service agencies, and representatives from low-income populations, persons with disabilities and older adults from around the region. The group met four times, between April and July of that year, and worked with TPB staff to develop a human service transportation coordination proposal. The result of these meetings was a recommendation that the TPB be designated the recipient of the 5316 and 5317 funds. This funding would then allow the TPB to appoint a taskforce to develop the coordinated plan and run the competitive selection process.

The TPB was presented with this proposal at the June 21 meeting, and adopted a resolution to begin the actions described in the proposal at the July 19 meeting. Since the adoption of the resolution, the TPB has moved forward with the process. As of this writing, the governors of Maryland and Virginia have both sent letters to the FTA designating the TPB as the recipient of 5316 and 5317 funds for the Metropolitan Washington region. The taskforce membership is currently being assembled, with a planning kick-off meeting tentatively scheduled for October, 2006.

Once the task force is established, it will work with the TPB to develop the coordinated plan and the framework for the competitive selection process as expeditiously as possible. After the plan and framework are approved by the TPB, proposals for FY2006 JARC and New Freedom funding will be solicited.

The TPB will oversee the review and selection of project proposals in accordance with the competitive selection process, and approve the selected projects for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).