An Analysis and Recommendations for Rural Public Transportation Systems in Alabama

US Transportation Collection2001PDFTech ReportLindly, Jay K.Tubbs, W. BrentUniversity of Alabama. Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringUniversity Transportation Center for AlabamaUniversity Transportation Center for AlabamaAlabamaUnited StatesCoordinationDatabasesDemand responsive transportationInterviewingLiterature reviewsModernizationRecommendationsRural transitState aidSurveysTransit operatorsUTCA Report 99-04DTRS98-G-0028Final ReportThe objective of "5311 rural transit programs" is to "enhance the access of people in non-urbanized areas to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services and recreation." This report presents a snapshot of the Alabama system during the year 2000 and recommends changes to the system to provide basic, high-quality rural transit to all areas of Alabama. Research methods included a literature search, interviews with Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel, site visits to six providers, a survey, follow-up interviews with 20 of 27 providers, and a search of Alabama DOT databases. The search found that only 50 of the 67 counties in Alabama are served by a 5311 rural transit system. Several of the 27 existing transit providers are not providing complete service in their areas. Rural transit in Alabama would benefit greatly from three changes. The first change is to add state financial support to help modernize the system, drive service expansion, and provide additional reliable funding. The second step is for the state to use the resulting increase in control to influence such areas as increased demand response service, coordination between transit providers, and consolidation or breakup of inefficient providers. The third step involves the State of Alabama recognizing and promoting Section 5311 transit services as an indispensable and credible transportation option. The conclusions section of the report lists 11 specific recommendations where further progress could be made.120