What is the Regional Transportation Coordination Committee?

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For more information about upcoming RTCC meetings and how you can participate please email Anne Benware or call at (518) 458-2161.

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Capital District, has had a long history of coordination efforts related to public transit/human services transportation dating back to the 1970’s. A more formalized process was put into place after enactment of federal transportation legislation entitled the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEALU) in 2005. SAFETEALU required that projects selected for funding under the Section 5310 Elderly Individuals with Disabilities Program, the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program (Section 5316), and the New Freedom Program (Section 5317) be “derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan”, and that the plan be “developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public.” Toward that end, the Regional Transportation Coordination Committee was formed to guide the work of the coordinated plan and to work toward better integration and coordination of public transit- human service agency transportation services. This first Coordinated Plan was adopted in 2007 and an update was adopted in 2011. Federal legislation requires that the Coordinated Plan include the following components:



The current federal legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP?21) continues the requirement of a Coordinated Transportation Plan and contains some changes to the way transit funds are programmed. Notable changes include the elimination of funding for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom (5317) programs. The remaining Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program now related to the Coordinated Plan is Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities. The former New Freedom program (5317) is folded into this program and JARC activities are now eligible under the Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant program. The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is the region’s Designated Recipient for 5307 funds. Below are two links that further explain the funding sources and eligibility under MAP21:
Section 5307: http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/MAP-21_Fact_Sheet_-_Urbanized_Area_Formula_Grants.pdf .
Section 5310: http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/MAP-21_Fact_Sheet_-_Enhanced_Mobility_of_Seniors_and_Individuals_with_Disabilities.pdf .

The RTCC membership consists of the regional steering committee that was formed by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) to guide the previous pre-SAFETEALU Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) efforts and other members that were added to ensure representation fulfills the guidelines set forth in SAFETEALU.

In 2006, the RTCC, in cooperation with the Albany County United We Ride Effort, conducted a survey of human service agencies that either provide, contract or have clients in need of specialized transportation. Over 500 survey questionnaires were mailed to human service agencies located in the four counties. Ninety-three providers and eighty non-providers completed the survey. The survey data were used to aid in the identification of unmet need and to help craft a list of recommendations for future focus. As part of the 2011 Coordinated Plan update effort a second survey was conducted; information learned through this survey as well as results of the 2010 US Census will be used to develop an upcoming Coordinated Plan update that is needed to respond to the change in federal legislation and other issues such as the need to identify and develop solutions to address veterans transportation needs.

The RTCC will continue to meet quarterly to work toward coordination of services in the Capital District, and to guide the Coordinated Plan update process as well as to provide input on future solicitations for projects under the Map 21 Enhanced 5310 program.

Meeting materials & notes are available.
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