During my recent testimony before the Civil Rights Commission on age discrimination, you requested that we supply for the record information about progress being made in the use of school buses for providing transportation for senior citizens. We have discussed this matter with personnel in state agencies on aging in a sampling of sixteen states. We have learned from this survey that: (1) States are gradually enacting legislation giving local school boards the option of allowing their buses to be used to provide transportation for the elderly. Among those states contacted which have passed such legislation within the past three years are Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky, Colorado, Maryland, and Iowa. (2) School districts in some states allow their buses (3) School boards in other states allow their buses In short, it appears that there has been an increase in the use of school buses for transporting the elderly. However, there are problems and barriers that remain which inhibit NOV 1 8 1977 the use of school buses as a dependable source of transportation services for the elderly. These include: (1) Concern about the suitability of school buses (2) Concern about the safety of school buses (3) Reluctance by some school boards to permit (4) Arriving at a formula for reimbursing school (5) Difficulties in acquiring liability insurance at reasonable rates for school buses that are used to transport older persons. I trust that the Commission will find this information helpful. Sincerely, Alan A. Butchman 2. Exhibit No. 24 SUMMARY OF UMTA ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE HANDICAPPED PERSONS INTRODUCTION Improving transportation services and mobility for elderly and handicapped persons is an important and legislatively required goal of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA). Section 16 of the Urban Mass Transportation (UMT) Act of 1964, as amended, states that "It is hereby declared to be the National policy that elderly and handicapped persons have the same right as other persons to utilize mass transportation facilities and services . . . (and) that special efforts shall be made in the planning and design of mass transportation facilities and services so that the availability to the elderly and handicapped persons of mass transportation which they can effectively utilize will be assured...". Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams stated on May 19, 1977, that “I believe it is my responsibility to insure to the extent feasible that no segment of our population is needlessly denied access to public transportation. It is now within our technological capability to insure that elderly and handiapped persons are accorded access to urban mass transit buses. This access is fundamental to the ability of such persons to lead independent and productive lives. . . .” BASIC PROGRAMS OF UMTA RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS A. Planning Assistance Program (Section 9 of the UMT Act of 1964, as amended*) *Full text of the UMT Act of 1964, as amended, is available from any regional office (Appendix I) and the UMTA Office of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. (202/426–4043). UMTA's Section 9 program provides 80 percent matching money to States and local public agencies for transportation planning, engineering, design and evaluation of urban mas transportation projects. UMTA regulations on "Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons" state that transportation planning at the local level must include "special efforts" to plan mass transit facilities and services that can effectively be used by elderly and handicapped persons, including wheelchair users. UMTA also requires its grantees to budget for and implement specific projects for the elderly and handicapped, including wheelchair users and semiambulatory persons. Section 9 funds may be used to satisfy the UMTA requirement that the planning and provision of transit services for elderly and handicapped persons involves all existing public, private and non-profit transportation operators to the maximum extent possible. The expense involved with planning for the coordination of transit services, in order to foster consolidated, multipurpose and efficient service, is fundable under Section 9 grants. UMTA encourages all providers of transit services, including non-profit organizations, to make their agencies' needs and services known to the local Metropolitan Planning Organization. The UMTA regulations on "Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons" are available upon request from any UMTA regional office or the UMTA Office of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. (see Appendix I for addresse and telephone numbers of all UMTA offices). B. Capital Assistance Program (Section 3 of the UMT Act of 1964) Funds are available to public agencies and private operators (through contracts with public agencies) to fund 80 percent of the cost of capital acquisitions, including new bus and rail car purchases and construction costs of maintenance facilities, bus garages, new rail lines, etc. The UMTA regulations on "Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons" require many vehicle and fixed facility (stations, terminals, etc.) features that can make transit use easier for these individuals. The requirements include such things as improved handrails and stanchions, nonslip flooring, lighting in the bus step well, priority seating signs for elderly and handicapped persons, warning strips next to boarding platforms and other hazard warnings in transit-related buildings. In addition to the above requirements for the currently available transit bus, all newly designed, full-size transit buses advertised for bid and purchased with UMTA grant funds after February 15, 1977, will be required to have front door step risers not exceeding eight inches in height. This is the same accessibility standard now applied to buildings. In addition, for new-design buses advertised for bid and purchased after February 15, 1977, and up until September 30, 1979, UMTA has required that manufacturers offer, as an option, a wheelchair accessibility package consisting of a level-change mechanism (lift or ramp), sufficient front door and passageway clearances to permit a wheelchair to reach a securement location in the bus and at least one securement device to hold a wheelchair in place. All buses offered for bid with Federal assistance after September 30, 1979, will be required to meet new bus specifications. These specifications include: a bus floor height of not more than 22 inches, capable of kneeling to 18 inches above the ground; and a ramp for boarding. C. Operating Assistance Program (Section 5 of the UMT Act. of 1964, as amended) UMTA provides matching funds on a 50/50 basis to States. local public bodies in urbanized areas of 50,000 or greater population (such as a city, county, or regional transit authority), and private and non-profit organizations through contracts with public agencies to cover up to 50% of the operating cost deficits involved in providing transit service. Operating costs include such expenses as salaries, administrative expenses, advertising, maintenance and routine bus replacements. All conventional transit operations receiving Section 5 funds may not charge elderly and handicapped persons more than one-half of the regular fare applied to |