AN ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATION OF UMTA'S SECTION 16(B)(2) FUNDING PROGRAM

This report presents the results of a study which assesses Federal and State administration of UMTA's 16(b)(2) funding program. This section of the Urban Mass Transportation Act authorizes grants to private non-profit (PNP) organizations to assist them in purchasing vehicles to transport elderly and/or handicapped persons. UMTA is considering reform and streamlining of the 16(b)(2) program. To this end, a Red Tape Reduction Task Force has already made a number of recommendations for increasing the program's efficiency. The funds, which pay 80% of the costs of vehicles, accessories, and related equipment, are allocated to states by formula, but are awarded to the PNPs on a discretionary basis. This report traces the history of the program as it has evolved through legislation and policy and procedural guidance. This guidance has been issued in a fragmentary and ambiguous manner, making it difficult for the State agencies to administer the program. The application process by which a PNP obtains funds is explained in the report. The process is often an arduous one, lasting up to two years. UMTA requires most of the clearances and approvals that are required for much more large-scale enterprises. After enduring the scrutiny of the State designated agency, the PNP application is forwarded to the UMTA Regional Office, where it may wait for long periods of time before being processed. This study revealed that UMTA approved 99% of the PNP applications. Finally, reporting practices are outlined, and this study suggests that they are excessive. Rather than sampling trips, the PNPs believe that they must record every trip of every day in every vehicle all year round. The authors uncovered no evidence that this information has been used for any purpose for which sampling would not suffice. (UMTA)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/MA060109
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Teixeira, D
  • Casey, R
  • Freilich, J
  • Ho, L
  • Slavin, H
• Publication Date: 1981-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 80 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Aged; Federal government; Motor vehicles; Operating costs; Paratransit services; Persons with disabilities; Sampling; State government; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fund allocations
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341513
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: MA-06-0109
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-MA-06-0109-81-1Final Rpt., DOT-TSC-UMTA-81-27
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 23 1981 12:00AM