Transportation

Disability Related Transportation

Programs that provide door-to-door (or curb-to-curb) transportation for purposes of shopping, banking, social events, medical appointments, getting to and from work, and similar activities for people with disabilities who need special accommodations and are unable to utilize other available means of transportation. Also included are programs that provide transportation for youngsters with disabilities who have no other means of accessing necessary specialized services and activities. Some but not all vehicles used for this purpose are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Transportation for Endangered People

Programs that provide transportation for people who are endangered and who need a safe ride to a shelter or other program location where their well-being can be ensured. People who may be served include women experiencing domestic violence, runaways, sexual assault survivors and prostitutes who are being threatened by a customer or a pimp.

Gas Money

Programs that provide money or vouchers to purchase gasoline, most frequently for individuals who need their automobile for necessary local or out-of-town travel but cannot afford to run their vehicle without assistance, but occasionally for people driving through the local area who have become stranded.

Air Fare

Programs that provide financial assistance for people who are in the midst of a personal or family emergency (e.g., a death in the family or critical medical treatment) that requires their presence in a distant location and who cannot obtain the necessary airline tickets without assistance. Also included are organizations that make seats on private aircraft (or regular carriers) available at low or no cost to people who meet "compassion flight" criteria; and programs that pay for trips using donated air miles.

Bus Fare

Programs that provide cash or tokens for individuals who have no personal means of transportation and are unable to use public transportation (or a taxi service) for necessary local travel without assistance with the fare. Also included are programs that provide bus fare for people who need to travel out of town (e.g., for a funeral) but do not have the means to do so.

Long Distance Transportation

Organizations that provide transportation for individuals whose destinations are outside the local area. These organizations also provide information to the public about rates, schedules and routes for these services.

Return to Point of Origin

Programs that provide bus tickets, or money or vouchers for gasoline for homeless people, relocated disaster victims or other individuals who wish to return to a legal place of residence that is outside the area in which they are currently located and who cannot leave without assistance.

Mercy Transportation

Programs, usually staffed by volunteer private pilots, that provide flight services for medical missions which may include transporting human organs and tissue for transplants; plasma or whole blood; anatomical specimens for medical research; medical personnel, equipment and supplies; and, in instances of medical and financial need, individual patients who require services from health care facilities that they would be unable to access without assistance. Also included are programs that provide compassionate, non-emergency long-distance ground transportation for patients in need, usually by bus.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Programs that provide transportation for medical appointments, trips from and between hospitals, to nursing homes or other special-care centers or for other non-emergency medical needs for individuals who, because of financial problems or their physical condition, are unable to use other means of local transportation. NEMT service providers are able to transport riders who require a wheelchair lift equipped vehicle with appropriate protective restraints or a van that is designed for gurney/stretcher transportation, or has other types of features to meet their safety needs.

Taxi Fare

Programs that provide cash, vouchers or discount coupons that individuals can use to pay for taxi services in situations where they have no personal means of transportation, are unable to use public transportation for necessary local travel but do not need the capacities of a paratransit service.

Public Transit Authorities

Special governmental authorities that are responsible for managing and operating public transportation in cities and towns throughout the country, either directly or via a contract with transportation companies. Public transportation includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, monorail, passenger ferry boats, trolleys, inclined railways, and people movers. In some jurisdictions, the transit authority may also manage paratransit services for older adults, people with disabilities and Medicaid recipients who need transportation to medical appointments and cannot use the bus or other alternatives; operate park-and-ride express shuttle services; provide neighborhood transportation for public schools; and operate ride sharing programs for commuters.

Transportation Passes

Programs that issue identification cards or vouchers that people can use in lieu of cash to pay for transportation.