Living outside of the city poses some unique challenges if paratransit services are required. For those people living in sparsely populated areas far from urban fixed routes, it can be a challenge to find accessible, affordable, and safe public transportation alternatives. While all transit agencies struggle with viable funding opportunities, rural paratransit providers, in particular, face an uphill battle in terms of receiving any sort of capital funding to adequately service their communities.
Here are a few facts about rural paratransit that many are unaware of:
Rural Paratransit Solutions
While the SAFETEA-LU Act greatly increased the available funding for rural paratransit, there are still areas in need of improvement. Ideally, the federal government pays 1/5 of the cost of a ride with the rest coming from regional or local sources, however; this is not always the case.
Technology is needed to update old systems and help ease the challenges that administrative staff and transportation managers face on a daily basis. In particular, rural transit software can help bridge the operational gaps that exist and streamline business processes. In one rural district, Perry County, PA, Ecolane’s rural transit software helped the transportation authority decrease fuel costs by 40%, run more trips, and do so while dramatically improving their negative cash flow situation.
The need for quality rural paratransit is critical in enabling the elderly and the mobility-impaired to have reliable access to medical appointments. A well-run rural paratransit system improves the safety and quality of life of all in the community.