SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES: CURRENT OPERATIONS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF THE TAXI INDUSTRY

This study analyzed the current transportation operations of social service agencies in three prototype communities in Texas: urban, rural, and rural with urban interface. The study was designed to identify and analyze the costs of direct provision of client transportation by social service agencies and to develop comparative cost indices for the same or similar classes of trips if delivered by alternative providers, including taxi operators, transit systems, and non-profit providers. Common classes of trips were identified, categorized by major operational characteristics and two sets of cost data were developed for trips directly provided by social service agencies to their own clients; actual costs and perceived costs. Actual cost figures, including expenses borne externally or through grants, were developed to allow policymakers to effectively evaluate the costs of direct transportation provision by social service agencies. Recognizing that Federal and state subsiies existed and would be used, perceived cost figures were developed to allow social service agencies to compare the advantages of alternative service provision to their out-of-pocket costs. While no one provider was found to be cost-effective for all types of client trips, it was found that some social service agencies were operating inefficient or ineffective transport systems and should actively consider an alternative provider. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation and prepared in cooperation with DOT, Urban Mass Transportation Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Highway Research, 200 West 21st Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Authors:
  • Cox, W L
  • Rosenbloom, S L
• Publication Date: 1977-8

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 96 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Public transit; Rural areas; Taxicabs; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Welfare
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00177155
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CFHR 3-10-76-1053-1FFinal Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: Study 3-10-76-1053
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 19 1981 12:00AM