Rural areas often face critical funding and mobility challenges. SACOG's advisory committees have identified five key areas for rural transportation (see box).
One rural transportation challenge is the increasing demand for rural transit operators to provide non-emergency medical transportation services. While urban dwellers can choose from a variety of transportation options, including fixed-route or demand response transit service, walking, or taxis, rural residents have far fewer options. Fixed-route and demand- response transit is very limited in outlying areas, and walking is often impractical. In addition, major medical centers tend to be in urban or suburban locations far from rural households.
A recent study found that transit-dependent rural seniors make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor because they have fewer transportation options.
With an aging rural population on the horizon, new transportation options for non-emergency medical appointments may be critical to helping seniors maintain their health and livelihood. Innovations to address this challenge and many others are coming forward through case studies on successful regional and national rural transportation efforts.
For more information contact Matt Carpenter at mcarpenter@sacog.org.