About Community Transportation

What is Community Transportation?

Community transportation is transportation that serves all people within a community, especially those who cannot drive or those who lack access to privately owned vehicles. Although many in this population depend on transit, using traditional, fixed-route public transit may be extremely difficult or impossible. This population includes people with limited incomes, people with disabilities, immigrants, and the elderly.

Community transportation services are usually funded and arranged through local organizations, churches, community groups, companies, nonprofits, or shelters. Examples include wheelchair-accessible demand-response van service, shared-ride taxis, jitney services, vanpools, carpools, and human services transportation.

By providing access to jobs, healthcare, and services, these transportation options improve the mobility—and thus, the independence—of the individuals they serve.

Background

Community transportation is not a new idea. For years, organizations have provided rides to those who would otherwise be unable to reach specific destinations. However, an organized approach to the issue is a relatively new concept. The goal of these organized efforts is to help coordinate transportation initiatives across cities, states, and the nation.

In the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, two conferences on community transportation have been held, and a Community Transportation Executive Committee meets regularly to discuss and address related issues. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council are cosponsoring a current project that aims to identify transit coordination best practices and develop a statewide action plan for improving transportation coordination.

On a national level, the U.S. Department of Transportation has adopted a new initiative called United We Ride. Its focus is to "break down barriers between programs and set the stage for local partnerships that generate common sense solutions" in community transportation. [View Projects & Initiatives for more information.]