Coordinated Services Models for Rural Transportation

This model involves the coordination of individual service programs in a community to improve the efficiency of limited transportation resources. Agencies work together to share resources, knowledge, and funding to increase the number of people being served. The overarching goals of coordinated planning models are to provide more rides for the same or lower cost, simplify how services are accessed, and improve the rider's satisfaction with services.

Partnerships play a key role in this model. Partners typically include human service agencies, local nonprofits, worksites, transit providers, customers, and local or regional economic development agencies.

The Toolkit for Rural Community Coordinated Transportation Services, developed by the Transportation Research Board, describes 10 elements of successful coordination efforts. These are:

1. Specific support for coordination efforts, such as state laws, executive orders, interagency coordinating councils, and support from state agencies
2. Quality control standards, oversight, and monitoring
3. Technical assistance provided to local officials by state and federal agencies, including the use of handbooks and guidebooks
4. Guiding principles established early in the process
5. An extensive local planning process
6. A comprehensive system, encompassing all modes of transit and all potential trip purposes
7. State Department of Transportation assistance with “selling” coordination
8. Input from nontransit agencies, such as Departments of Veterans Affairs, Corrections, Housing, and Health and Human Services
9. Demonstration projects that test ideas for statewide efforts
10. Coordination incentives, including funding

Examples of Coordinated Services Models

• Operated by Opportunity Link, Inc., North Central Montana Transit (NCM Transit) serves rural Hill and Blaine counties and coordinates services with Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's transit systems. NCM Transit is a partnership of local organizations including tribal and local governments, education, and health and community organizations.

Considerations for Implementation

Rural communities interested in implementing a coordinated service model will need to put in focused time and effort to build partnerships and foster cooperation among participating agencies and organizations. This requires knowledge of coordination approaches, willingness to learn, and flexibility.

One barrier for coordinated service models is that many federal funding streams are designated for specific uses or populations. The funding for specialized transportation services typically stems from federal sources and is designated for clients with specific needs. This means that programs need to pay special attention to requirements associated with federal funding.

Program Clearinghouse Examples

• ITNAmerica

Resources to Learn More

Coordinating Rural Transit Requires Thinking Outside the Box
Document
Describes the experiences and lessons learned in establishing a regional transit coordination pilot program in rural Kansas.
Organization(s): Kansas University Transportation Center
Author(s): Elias, J.
Date: 7/2010

Framework for Action: Building the Fully Coordinated Transportation System
Document
Outlines how to conduct individual assessments and develop action plans for addressing coordinated systems of transportation.
Organization(s): Federal Transit Administration
Date: 2003

Transportation Coordination Resources
Website
An annotated list of linked resources from federal, state, and local agencies focused on developing a transportation coordination plan. Resources cover federal mandates, cost sharing, economic benefits, use of technology and involvement of people with disabilities in the planning.
Organization(s): National Center for Mobility Management