ACCESS Transportation Systems and Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania ACCESS Transportation Systems of Pennsylvania and the Port Authority of Allegheny County, are one of the largest coordinated paratransit programs in the nation, providing about 1.9 million rides annually to individuals with disabilities, low incomes and older adults. Thanks to coordination of combined resources with 125 partners, ACCESS is a strong and extensive system, serving the County seven days a week, 365 days a year, 6 AM to midnight. ACCESS provides a family of services such as paratransit, accessible taxis, fixed route transit passes and brokerage support. A wide range of agency sponsors and services include ADA eligible people with disabilities, Area Agency on Aging, the Veterans Administration and Healthy Start. There are 430 vehicles in use on an average weekday, with door through door, hand in hand assisted transportation for individuals with cognitive disabilities who require supervision. Additionally, travel instruction is provided through an arrangement with the City of Pittsburgh Public Schools and ACCESS, using the school district’s existing mobility instructors. Read More. Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, New York The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority’s (CNYRTA) purpose is to continue, further develop, and improve transportation and related services in the Central New York Transportation District. CNYRTA has been an industry leader in coordinating services for persons with disabilities, elderly individuals, children, and low-income individuals and families. Types of services provided include ADA paratransit, Medicaid, Metropolitan Commission on Aging, 24/7 Demand Response and fixed route. CNYRTA provides approximately 12 million passenger trips annually, covering more than 5.2 million miles of service with a combined fleet of 208 small and large buses. It was one of the first transportation providers in the State to form partnerships with local employers, colleges, universities, and other community sectors when it implemented its Mobility Management Center (MMC) in 1999 and today is a one-stop transportation center. Other unique aspects of this system are that it provides individualized trip planning, directing individuals to lower cost fixed route services; computer assistance scheduling/dispatching software; automated passenger counters; and automated vehicle location to aid development and implementation of coordinated transportation services. Read More.     Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors, Minnesota The Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors (DARTS) is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, providing senior and transportation services in Dakota County. DARTS provides ADA paratransit services, scheduling and dispatch services to the United Way of Minneapolis funded agencies, FTA Job Access van service and maintenance services to some 50 different agencies including nonprofits and one school district. One of the many attributes of the DARTS system is its responsiveness to customer needs and wants. For example, DARTS regularly conducts surveys of its clientele using a “first ride” survey to obtain customer expectations. Based on feedback from local non-profit agencies, DARTS created a state of the art training center to meet the demand now experienced for training assistance. Read More. Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, Massachusetts Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) has been brokering Human Service transportation in Massachusetts since 1990 for MassHealth (Medicaid/DMA), as well as Department of Public Health Early Intervention (DPH) programs since 1992 and Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) since 1995. MART serves people with disabilities, older adults, individuals with lower incomes and youth. MART provides additional services to consumers through its Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Subscription Service programs; including providing handicapped-accessible van transportation to all eligible disabled persons, whether or not they are part of the social services network. MART has worked closely with the Massachusetts Human Service Transportation Office and Executive Office of Transportation to develop a fully coordinated human service transportation system. MART also collaborates with agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, Montachusett Home Care Corporation, MOC Head Start, Guild of St. Agnes Day Care and local Veterans offices for shuttles to local VA clinics as well as VA hospitals and major medical facilities in the Metro Boston and Worcester areas. By taking the lead in developing scalable and advanced automated systems, while also developing and promoting collaborative efforts with state agencies, vendors and consumers in the human service system, MART has been able to make significant advances in improving coordination of services. They are ensuring everyone has access to the human service transportation system in Massachusetts, by lowering and controlling costs while constantly evaluating and improving service quality. Read More.     RIDES Mass Transit District, Illinois RIDES Mass Transit District is the general public transportation provider for nine Southern Illinois Counties. RIDES has been a leader and advocate for rural public transportation and is nationally recognized for its service excellence and coordination efforts. RIDES provides most of the human service agency transportation in the nine counties and coordinates transportation for aging adults, those with disabilities, and the general public. Originally it was designed to be a demand-responsive service, however now RIDES operates on a more flexible route. These zoned deviated routes work through different areas of a community every 15 minutes of the hour picking up riders at their homes, as well as, incorporating stops at the major shopping centers and a series of stop shelters. RIDES offers brokerage for nine counties, fixed route services, demand-response and deviated fixed route services, demand response-paratransit and River Taxi service. To eliminate unnecessary miles and empty vehicles, RIDES accommodates all consumers, including the general public, on any route. To encourage coordination and cooperation, RIDES educates the service agencies about what the system can do, supplies them with financial and operating information, and most importantly delivers the services promised. Read More.