Directory of Specialized Transportation Providers Funded by FTA’s Section 16 Program

NHTSA · 1994 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Transit Administration

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Summary

This 1994 directory, prepared by the Community Transportation Association of America for the Federal Transit Administration’s Rural Transit Assistance Program, provides a comprehensive listing of 3,673 private, nonprofit, and public agencies providing specialized transportation to elders and persons with disabilities. The publication serves as a resource for identifying providers funded by FTA’s Section 16 capital assistance program, aiding in the implementation of paratransit plans required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and transportation planning mandated by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. The data was compiled by combining listings from a 1989 directory with 1991 and 1992 state grant applications, followed by verification from state administering agencies and direct contact with providers where necessary. The directory includes a statistical profile of the Section 16 network, detailing agency size, service areas, vehicle characteristics, and funding patterns. As of 1993, the network represented a 5 percent increase from 1989, with significant regional growth in the Midwest and declines in the Northeast. The network operates an estimated 28,664 vehicles, of which 12,226 (43 percent) were acquired with Section 16 assistance. Agencies serving persons with disabilities constitute the largest segment (46 percent), followed by those serving elders (45 percent). Agencies serving the general public or both groups operate significantly larger fleets, averaging over 16 vehicles, compared to 5.2 vehicles for elder-serving agencies and 8.6 for disability-serving agencies. Vehicle characteristics indicate that more than 75 percent of Section 16-funded vehicles are vans, with 13 percent being small buses. Accessibility has improved, with 57 percent of vehicles reported as lift- or ramp-equipped, up from 44 percent in 1989. However, nearly 60 percent of the fleet is five years or older. Funding analysis reveals that human services programs are the primary source of operating funds, accounting for 43 percent of total revenue, with Medicaid being the single largest contributor. State and local funding is particularly significant in large-urban areas, while fares contribute minimally to overall budgets. The directory concludes that Section 16 funding, combined with human services support, is crucial for maintaining mobility services for vulnerable populations across diverse urban and rural settings.

Key finding

The Section 16 network comprised 3,673 agencies operating 12,226 vehicles funded by the program, with vans representing over 75 percent of the fleet and human services programs providing 43 percent of total operating funds.

Methodology

dataset

Sample size: 3673

Provenance

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