ROLE OF PARATRANSIT IN SERVING THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL GROUPS

Four transit-dependent groups, the elderly, the handicapped, the youth, and the poor, are discussed in terms of definitions and subgroups, and UMTA projects directed toward resolution of some of their problems are outlined. Confusion is noted as to whether the need is for a single system to handle all travelers including the handicapped, a 2-tier system (a basic system and a special paratransit operation for the handicapped) or 3-tier system (includes a special system for the wheelchair handicapped). Problems are discussed of organization, UMTA legislation, certification of those eligible to use the second and third tiers of paratransit, and the application of the labor protection clause of the act to UMTA grants for services for special groups. Key ongoing projects in the UMTA Service and Methods Demonstration (SMD) Program, are those in Chicago, Danville, Cleveland, Portland and Albuquerque. Solutions to the problems of transportation for the transit dependent include the following: modification of buses and rapid transit stations to accommodate the handicapped; demand-responsive of dial-a-ride systems; organizational approaches (charter services, operations contracted to social agencies, etc.); financial approaches which organize a continuing flow of funds (e.g. the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transit District System in the San Francisco area).

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr164/164-022.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0360859X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paratransit: Proceedings of a conference held November 9-12, 1975, conducted by the Transportation Research Board, and sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration.Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Crain, John L
• Conference:
  • Conference on Paratransit
  • Location: Williamsburg Virginia, United States
  • Date: 1975-11-9 to 1975-11-12
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 183-190
• Monograph Title: PARATRANSIT
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Special Report
  • Issue Number: 164
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0360-859X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Buses; Certification; Financing; Labor law; Labor unions; Low income groups; Needs assessment; Organization; Paratransit services; Persons with disabilities; Rapid transit; Transportation; Wheelchairs; Young adults
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fund allocations
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00138459
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 4 1981 12:00AM