4. MetroCOG-metro transit plan - Laserfiche WebLink

It is important to note that long term Job Access and Human Service transportation efforts in the Metro Area will not be sustainable if they depend on JARC, New Freedom, or FTA funds alone. The current JARC project with Handi-Wheels is successful as a demonstration project and can only serve a limited number of people. The current preferred strategy for Job Access Transportation in the Metro is to continue employment based dial a ride with Handi- Wheels. The Handi- Wheels model addresses the following barriers: · Land Use · Third Shift Transportation (hours of Operation) · Travel Time · Childcare Transportation · Access to Fargo Industrial Park · Cost of Transportation & Transit · Fringe Area Transit Access Through the process of preparing the coordinated plan, the Metropolitan Transportation Initiative (MTl) endorsed continuing the Job Access Strategy currently in place with Handi-Wheels. The project is still in a pilot phase and began operating in early 2006. To fully demonstrate the effects of the project it is recommended that up to two years of JARC support be given to the project. Two years of additional funding will give the project time to transition from JARC to partnerships with agencies that use the service. If agencies who currently use Handi- Wheels to transport their clients do not become funding partners the long term viability of the projects is limited. Increasing the Impact of MTI It will be dependant on local and state human service agency representatives (as well as local elected leaders) to make changes in the way funds are used for client transportation for the Specialized Transportation Plan to be implemented. To date, no agency participating in MTl except Handi-Wheels and Metro Area Transit have made substantive policy changes to support job access transportation. Examples from other states and cities are endless on ways to restructure programs to allow for more clients to receive transportation by growing the transportation infrastructure. MTl needs to become a body that can answer questions for, and ask question of, social services and local governments that receive requests for transportation dollars. There is a need to engage local elected leaders to demonstrate the budgetary and societal benefits of policy change in human service transportation. MTI needs to include state level policy makers and directors of local non-profits that provide transportation to clients as part of their service contracts with county and state governments. MTI as a more broad based (and well understood) body will serve more individuals' long term by setting a clear strategy to maximize and secure funding for transportation resources. A restructure ofMTl is proposed. Proposed additional/new MTl members are as follows: Cass Director of Social Services Clay Director of Social Services Fargo City Commission (MAT Board liaison) Moorhead City Council (MAT Board liaison) MN & ND State DHS Representative State Medicaid Representatives ND & MN DT & H provider's (metro wide) It is recommended MTl remain a sub-committee of the Metro COG Board. It is recommended that some of the entities currently seated on MTI should either be removed or given a seat on Metro Area Transit's Advisory Committee (MAT TAC). It is recommended that Metro Area Transit and Metro COG, working in coordination with MTI and the M AT T AC, reorganize the makeup of both committees very early 2007. The reorganization would also include a clear delineation of each committee's role and responsibility. An effort is needed to ensure better communication with county government, too.