Coordination of Specialized Transportation Services

This final report points out best practices and opportunities for States to increase specialized transportation services for the elderly, disabled, and others without a corresponding increase in Federal expenditures. In the 2 States reviewed, only a few communities in each had developed comprehensive coordinated transportation systems. We found those communities were able to provide more services and provide them in a more economical manner. Benefits included increased capacity, better quality of service, improved effectiveness of primary services, cost savings, and upgraded preventive maintenance programs which contributed to greater safety. Recommendations call for the Administration on Aging (AoA) to actively promote transportation consortiums and provide the assistance needed by State agencies and local transit providers to promote coordinated transit systems. The AoA generally concurred with these recommendations.