11-16-81 Human Resources & Economic Development

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11/16/81 SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (STS) I . Mission STS is a non-profit, paratransit system providing service to DISABLED persons unable to ride or use conventional public transportation in St. Joseph County. STS screens applicants in an effort to make sure riders are transportationally dis- abled. STS transportation is available for work, education, health care, shopping and social-recreational opportunities Monday thru Friday 7 : 00 A.M. to 6 : 00 P.M. Since funding outside of South Bend-Mishawaka has been severely limited, less than 5% of the riders are from the county rural areas. Since paratransit is the only function of STS, the service offers an excellent opportunity to centralize this function for better service and efficiency, allowing other agencies to concentrate on their unique and specialized non- transportation services to the disabled. II Need A 1977 UMTA study' indicates 7. 4 million transportation relevant disabilities in the USA. A 1917 needs assessment by the City of Chicago administration puts the figure at 10. 1 million or 5% of the 1970 census. To be on the conservative side, we used a figure of 3% of population; indicating the following disabled population- vs service rendered by STS at its present operating level . Disabled at STS clients % of 3% of 1980 1981 Total Census South Bend 3, 291 563 Mishawaka 1 , 215 144 Rural 2, 743 15 St. Joseph County Total 7, 249 722 10% Thus, due to lack of funding, STS is presently able to serve only a fraction of the needs in South Bend and Mishawaka. Lack of rural funding prevents STS from providing any significant rural service. III. Problem The disabled need specialized transportation to have a chance to lead a decent life. STS needs to be expanded to fill this most worthwhile human need through the use of a cost efficient Specialized Transportation System. (1981 cost per one way trip is just under $9 . 00--costs are less per trip with an expanded service, )