Public Transit-Human Services Community Coordination Plans

SAFETEA-LU requires that projects selected for funding be derived from a coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan or ``coordinated plan''. This requirement took effect in FY 2006 for JARC and FY 2007 for Section 5310 and New Freedom.  Projects funded through these three federal programs as well as Alaska Mental Health Trust are required to be derived from a locally developed, coordinated plan.  The purpose of this document is to act as a resource for communities in Alaska that will be able to satisfy Federal Transit Administration planning requirements (49 U.S.C. 5310, 5316, 5317) in connection with human service transportation programs and funding.

The following information is taken from the FTA Circular 5310 chapter V, pertaining to coordinated plans:

  • A locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan (“coordinated plan”) identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes, provides strategies for meeting those local needs, and prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation.  Local plans may be developed on a local, regional, or statewide level.  The decision as to the boundaries of the local planning areas should be made in consultation with the State and the metropolitan planning organization (MPO), where applicable.  The agency leading the planning process is decided locally and does not have to be the State.
  • A coordinated plan should maximize the programs’ collective coverage by minimizing duplication of services.  Further, a coordinated plan shall be developed through a process that includes representatives of public and private and non-profit transportation and human services transportation providers, and participation by members of the public.  Members of the public should include representatives of the targeted population(s) including individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes.  While the plan is only required in communities seeking funding under one or more of the three specified FTA programs, a coordinated plan should also incorporate activities offered under other programs sponsored by Federal, State, and local agencies to greatly strengthen its impact. 

For more information on coordinated plans please review the full 5310 circular. The toolkit provided on this site is to assist your community in writing or updating your coordinated plan.  It contains information on the elements that must be present in each plan to be eligible for funding, a strategy handbook, plan template, and meeting preparation documents.  It is important to follow the format of the template so no information is missed.  The intent of the toolkit is to make the task of creating and updating a coordinated plan simpler.  Changes must be made to all current plans in order to comply with FTS’s requirements.  The state does not approve the Plan, only certifies to FTA all required elements are in the plan. 

Every community will need to update their plan every five years, except those in a nonattainment area.  Currently, there is one community included in nonattainment areas, Fairbanks.  For this community the plan must be updated every four years.  Every grant cycle the community coordinated group must prioritize their projects they would like funded.  Then the list must be approved by the local government in a public meeting.  Once a community has a plan that the local governing body adopts, the State will post it on our website for others to reference.  

.If you are interested in the coordination efforts in your community, the Lead Agency Contact will provide you with the contact information for your area.  For finding transportation in your area Alaska 211 will provide you with agency information.  The information can be assessed by calling 211 or (800) 478-2221 Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.  Alaska 211 is also located online at www.alaska211.org . 

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