A robust new transportation program for Allen County came one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a Nov. 12 brainstorming session that involved multiple organizations.
The all-day session was organized by Thrive Allen County.
One specific question guiding participants was: How might we address the transportation needs of patients with chronic physical and mental health conditions in Allen County?
Other questions involved thinking about why people might be reluctant to use transportation services, or be hesitant to ask for help when needing a ride. People living in rural areas like Allen County take a lot of pride in being independent, so part of the process of building a transportation program is encouraging residents to not see any indignity in choosing to participate in public transportation.
Another factor in reducing hesitation on the part of potential riders, is to make a transportation program that is attractive and enjoyable, with clean cars, friendly and well-dressed drivers, and a number of services that are just too good to pass up.
Some of the specific service features workshop participants gravitated towards include: Creating a call center to schedule rides; eliminating restrictions on who can ride or where they can go; creating incentives for good riders and car-poolers along with a rider feedback system; making different types of vehicles available for different purposes; and making vehicles accessible for those with disabilities.
Perhaps most importantly, the goal is to develop a program with the ability to operate with little to no cost for those who ride, by obtaining grants and sponsorships to assist in offsetting those costs. This initiative will allow patients can get to important medical appointments without adding undue stress.
ALLEN COUNTY is one of five communities nationwide selected by the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), to develop and test ways to address mobility challenges experienced by the low-income for whom a lack of transportation is an obstacle to job security, health, and social well-being.
Thrives role with the effort comes through a grant from the NCMM. Facilitators from the Washington D.C. group Community Transportation Association of America help guide discussions. This group operates NCMM and is funded by the Federal Transit Administration.
According to Amy Conrick, director of the NCMM, they use a process called human-centered design to help communities transform environments and infrastructures to make it so people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are able to get wherever they need to go, whenever they need to get there.
