Local Transportation Planning Organization Recognized forAssessing the Growing Demand of Paratransit Service and Planning for Future Trends

River to Sea TPO wins award for Innovative Paratransit Service Analysis

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), the transportation planning organization that covers Volusia County and portions of Flagler County, was recognized on Friday evening with an Outstanding Planning Study Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FZPA) Surfcoast Chapter.

This recognition, which emphasizes innovative, state-of-the-art planning methods, was awarded to the River to Sea TPO for their Paratransit Service Analysis. With many transit agencies in Florida experiencing increases in demand for paratransit and transportation disadvantaged services, the River to Sea TPO recognized the need to look at the challenges in providing these services as well as potential trends for the future.

“Florida’s increasing population, driven by its popularity as a preferred destination for living and working, has resulted in strong demand for both paratransit and transportation disadvantaged (TD) services in the River to Sea TPO’s metropolitan planning area,” said Stephan Harris, Transportation Planner-Project Manager for the River to Sea TPO.

With the assistance of Tindale Oliver, the River to Sea TPO recently developed the Paratransit Service Analysis to identify changes in the transit industry that have had a negative or positive impact on efficiencies in service provisions and on budgets. This is accomplished by assessing the evolution of paratransit service, both statewide and locally, the current state of practices in the industry, challenges to providing services and potential trends for the future. It includes short, mid and long-term recommendations as well as an implementation plan and cost summary.

“The study confirms what the TPO has suspected about the paratransit demand in this region of the state. Demand for these services has been increasing and with the appeal Florida has with older adults, the demand is not expected to slow down. We were able to introduce innovative practices that are being implemented around the country to help offset paratransit costs and improve service efficiencies, and recommended options that would work best for the local agencies,” said Sarah Goolsby, Project Manager at Tindale Oliver. “We hope that implementing these recommendations within the next five years will help Flagler and Volusia Counties efficiently address the mobility needs of the growing community.”

Media Release: River to Sea TPO, Pamela Blankenship