Coordinating Human Services Transportation in Florida

Presented to:
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
U.S. House of Representatives

An independent state agency authorized by the Florida Legislature consisting of agencies, consumers, and others whose mission is to ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective and quality transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons.

• 1974-79 - Recognition of problem/Dialogue began
• 1979 – Law Enacted/Coordinating Council Created
• 1980-84 – Rules adopted and implemented; data gathered; coordination began statewide; statute re-enacted in 1984
• 1984-89 – Progress continued; unmet needs identified; independent state focus identified; funding for more services limited
• 1989 – Legislature upgraded the coordination statute; created independent Commission and first-time dedicated trust fund; created local oversight coordinating boards and staffing requirements and assigned roles to community transportation coordinators
• 1990 –2003 – Commission obtained additional dedicated funding sources and continued to implement effective coordination program

Coordination means……"the arrangement for the provision of transportation services to the transportation disadvantaged in a manner that is cost-effective, efficient and reduces fragmentation and duplication of services." (427.011 (11), F.S.)

• Increase service
• Reduce expenditures
• Improve efficiency
• Reduce duplication/fragmentation
• Stretch limited tax dollars
• Build community support and awareness
• Tax dollar accountability
• Eliminate fraud and abuse
• Ensure safety and welfare of the most vulnerable

• Inadequate budgeting of transportation funding available for services (no line item budget requirement for purchasing agencies).
• Funding is not consolidated in one entity creating less opportunities for cost savings.
• Conflicting purchasing agency policies creating lack of uniformity in safety and operating standards.
• Duplicative monitoring and reporting by each agency.
• Federal Medicaid requirement that transportation must be provided, but available budget is not available.
• Mandated Medicaid copayment set by the State, yet no requirement for collection by Medicaid recipient, thereby, transportation businesses are penalized.

Agency and Local Revenue Participation
As reported in the 2002 Annual Performance Report

• From 1995-1998, community transportation coordinators reported a savings of $154.0 million using such technologies as multi-loading, limited days of travel, bus pass programs, inter-county coordination arrangements, more stringent eligibility criteria, no show policies, improved reservation and scheduling systems, advance reservations, shuttle services, and prior authorization.
• Miami-Dade County- Bus Pass Program has saved over $54 million since 1993, and currently saves $600,000 a month.

• Modify Chapter 427, F.S. to improve, streamline and enhance Florida’s coordinated transportation program for the transportation disadvantaged.
• Require all agencies to request budget authority for transportation services to transportation disadvantaged clients.
• Allow for the authorization of funding from other agencies to be transferred or contracted with the Commission for administration.
• Require the monitoring efforts of all purchasing agencies to be coordinated with the Commission’s monitoring program.
• Implement alternative delivery methods within the coordinated system to include various modes and consumer choice.
• Amend Chapter 409, F.S. to eliminate the co-payment for Medicaid non-emergency transportation services.
• Support opportunities to continue to increase revenue to the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund to assist with unmet needs.
• Develop methodology for improving rate structure development statewide and improve the competitive procurement process.

Thank you for the opportunity to allow us to educate you about Florida’s coordinated transportation program. More detailed program information is available upon request.