Board Action

NOACA Seeks Public Comment on Draft Plan

What Northeast Ohio really needs to improve transportation for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with low incomes is better coordination among transit agencies and lower costs both for the transit agencies as well as riders. These are among the top priorities identified in the draft Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for Northeast Ohio that was developed by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).

NOACA is now seeking public comments on the draft coordinated plan, which identifies strategies and priorities to improve transportation for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with low incomes. The final coordinated plan will become part of NOACA’s larger transportation plan, Connections 2030.

“The goal of the coordinated plan is to identify and address gaps and overlaps in existing transportation services, especially for three segments of the population: the elderly, people with disabilities, and people with lower incomes,” says Howard R. Maier, NOACA executive director. “Any project that hopes to receive federal funding from special programs for these population groups now has to be consistent with the goals of the coordinated plan.”

The special programs include:

Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC), which supports transportation services to jobs and employment-related activities for welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals. This program also provides funding for commuting from urban or rural areas to suburban workplaces (reverse commute);
New Freedom, which supports new public transportation services and alternatives for individuals with disabilities beyond those currently required by the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), which funds public transportation capital projects to improve mobility for older adults and individuals with disabilities. In the NOACA region, the 5310 program is most often used to purchase converted vans and light transit vehicles.

“The coordinated plan was developed with input from the transit agencies, human services agencies and people who use public transit,” says Sara Byrnes Maier, NOACA program manager. “We conducted surveys and held numerous public meetings and focus groups to gather opinions and comments. Our efforts culminated in a workshop where participants developed strategies to address identified needs and issues. Now we’re looking for comments from the public on those prioritized strategies, to bring the process full circle.”

The public is invited to offer comments on the draft Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan through March 14 when the NOACA Governing Board is scheduled to vote whether to adopt it. Here is how to view the plan and make comments:

Through NOACA’s Web site. Comments can be submitted online.
At selected local libraries throughout the region.
At NOACA’s offices at 1299 Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland.
At an open house at NOACA on Wednesday, February 27, from noon to 2 p.m., or on Thursday, February 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.
At the main headquarters of the transit agencies in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.