Coordinated transportation services are evolving as rural communities around the country strive to address more effectively the mobility and access needs of rural residents. These efforts typically involve a number of stakeholders, including human service organizations, public transportation providers, tribal governments, school districts, and special districts. Many states have also recognized the need to coordinate efforts to administer programs supporting greater rural community mobility.

The ability to coordinate transportation services and use resources more effectively and efficiently through community-based planning efforts can lead to improvements in mobility. Although coordinated transportation systems have been demonstrated as effective, they have not been universally adopted in areas where they are potentially appropriate. For example, many health and social service agencies provide transportation services (funded through a variety of grant programs) that exclusively serve their own clients. Obstacles to adopting a coordinated approach include the following:

• Lack of information about procedures for organizing cooperative efforts at the state level;
• Lack of comprehensive procedures for local organization and planning;
• Myths among many that some combination of Federal or state regulation, or organizational policies, prohibit cooperation; and
• Reluctance on the part of potential coordination partners to devote time and resources to planning and implementation.

Research is needed to identify ways to improve coordination and explore the critical factors that determine success or failure in establishing sustainable rural public transportation services. Building and expanding on existing guidelines, handbooks, and toolkits, this research should provide a modular approach for communities to successfully initiate or expand coordinated transportation services. Special attention should be given to finding successful strategies for obtaining the necessary ongoing operational funding.

The objective of this research is to develop a practical toolkit for use by local communities, state agencies, and tribal governments in planning and implementing coordinated community transportation services in rural areas. This toolkit shall include planning and implementation guides.

Status: The Report has been published as TCRP Report 101 with a companion brochure.
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