Cost-Effective Accessible Transportation Alternatives in Rural Areas: Examples from the US Transed 2012 Delhi, India September 17-21, 2012

Rural Transportation in the U.S. 40% of Rural Counties Have No Public Transportation 40% of Rural Counties Have No Public Transportation 21% of Population in Rural Areas 21% of Population in Rural Areas 5% of Federal Transit Funding to Rural Areas 5% of Federal Transit Funding to Rural Areas

Transportation Experiences

Impacts on Employment

Service Provider Issues Limited Funding Limited Funding High Cost of Service High Cost of Service –Long distances –Low population densities Limited Number of Accessible Vehicles Limited Number of Accessible Vehicles Driver Training Capacity and Materials Driver Training Capacity and Materials

Innovative Service Designs Lake Transit (CA) Route Deviation 7 regional routes 7 regional routes Deviate up to 1 mile Deviate up to 1 mile $1.25 fare $1.25 fare $0.75 surcharge for deviations $0.75 surcharge for deviations 60,000 population 60,000 population 180,000 trips per year 180,000 trips per year 5.87 trips/hr (dev. rtes) 3.0 trips/hr pure DR 5.87 trips/hr (dev. rtes) 3.0 trips/hr pure DR

Innovative Service Designs PRTC (VA) Route Dev. & Request Stop Limited Number of Request Stops (guaranteed) Limited Number of Request Stops (guaranteed) Deviations in Defined Areas (if possible) Deviations in Defined Areas (if possible) 14 trips/hr. 14 trips/hr. 12% of trips include deviation 12% of trips include deviation

Innovative Service Designs LINK Transit (WA) Zone Routes Intercity Routes (Up to 50 Miles) Intercity Routes (Up to 50 Miles) Supplemental Paratransit Supplemental Paratransit PT Vehicles Operates in DR Mode Along Corridor PT Vehicles Operates in DR Mode Along Corridor Time Points Along Corridor Advertised to Riders Time Points Along Corridor Advertised to Riders

Paratransit “Schedule”

Effectiveness of Flex-Route Services 2012 Survey of 674 Transit Agencies 146 Responses Re: Flex-Route Service 146 Responses Re: Flex-Route Service 44 Incorporate Flex-Route Concept in Routes 44 Incorporate Flex-Route Concept in Routes 21 Support Local Communities That Operate Flex- Routes 21 Support Local Communities That Operate Flex- Routes 62% Rated as Effective 62% Rated as Effective

Rider Issues Limited Trip Purposes (Medical) Limited Trip Purposes (Medical) Client-Only Transportation Client-Only Transportation Limited Days and Hours of Service (Little Evening and Weekend Service) Limited Days and Hours of Service (Little Evening and Weekend Service) Lack of Information About Services Lack of Information About Services

Voucher Programs Provide Individuals with Vouchers to Use Local Services Provide Individuals with Vouchers to Use Local Services Can Define Eligibility and Number of Vouchers to Match Needs and Available Funding Can Define Eligibility and Number of Vouchers to Match Needs and Available Funding Can Include Volunteers Can Include Volunteers Allow Riders to Choose Provider (“Self- Directed”) Allow Riders to Choose Provider (“Self- Directed”) Model Developed By Assn. of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) – “Traveler’s Cheque” Program Model Developed By Assn. of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) – “Traveler’s Cheque” Program

Report Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA), “Transportation Services for People with Disabilities in Rural and Small Urban Communities.” ResourcesPublications