The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has released a Human Service Transportation Coordination Study, in response to a recommendation of the Commonwealth’s Transportation Funding and Reform Commission.
This 25-page eye-catching document includes much information of potential interest and use to the coordination community. For example, readers can see at a glance statistical figures such as the disparity in Human Service Transportation among counties in Pennsylvania, myths about shared rides and the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), as well as the simulation and modeling methodology used in a six-county study region. Highlights of the study are summarized in a short fact sheet.
The top priority of the report was to focus on the people whose quality of life depends on the mobility afforded by Human Service Transportation (HST). As stated in the report, “Pennsylvania serves a diverse HST consumer group—including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and low income individuals—traveling for many other purposes in addition to medical care. In most other states, MATP consumers are the predominant users of HST.”
Key findings in the report include:
- The Commonwealth should move toward a coordinated approach to Human Service Transportation (HST) management;
- In partnership with local government, the Commonwealth should pilot a regional approach to HST management and service delivery;
- The Commonwealth and local government should conduct listening sessions on the design of the coordinated program as well as the pilot to ensure that consumer needs are known and understood;
- In partnership with local government, the Commonwealth should establish performance criteria, standards and targets to measure the efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of human service transportation.
The report warns that, “All Pennsylvanians would be affected by a major disruption or cessation of Human Service Transportation services…This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to partner with counties and shared ride service providers to invest in programs that build capacity, improve management, serve consumers and develop systems that will meet current and future needs.”
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