45 States Receive Federal Grants to Coordinate Transportation Services

The federal government will spend $1.6 million to help 45 states coordinate transportation services for those who need it most—older adults, people with disabilities and low-income families, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said today.

The grants are part of the United We Ride program, a five-part initiative that supports President Bush’s Executive Order on Human Transportation Coordination, issued in February of 2004. In addition to grants, United We Ride includes a self-assessment tool for state and local agencies, technical assistance, and other resources to help communities succeed.

“This effort, which we call United We Ride, encourages human service transportation providers to work together, and to pool their resources to increase mobility in America’s communities,” said Secretary Mineta, who also chairs the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. “The benefits to our customers are clear: They get better service, and taxpayer dollars go farther and help more people.”

The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility is a partnership of 11 federal agencies working together to implement the President Bush’s Executive Order on Human Transportation. Besides the Department of Transportation, the Council includes the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and the Interior; the Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Social Security.

The grants of $35,000 each, administered by the Federal Transit Administration, will help states more efficiently utilize transportation resources that serve senior, disabled, and disadvantaged citizens. Funds will be used for the development of a plan to coordinate the resources of the many federal, state, and local human services agencies and programs that offer transportation services.

“Coordinated services are vital to achieving independence and taking advantage of opportunities,” said FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn. “Under President Bush’s leadership, transportation options are now within reach for citizens who most need them.”

More information on President Bush’s Executive Order and “United We Ride” can be found at http://www.fta.dot.gov/.