The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Human Services (DHS) on Wednesday urged Pennsylvanians to use Find My Ride (FMR) to learn about public transportation options and apply for transportation assistance programs. More than 12,500 Pennsylvanians have been approved for services since FMR launched in May 2021.
Public transportation services are available in every county in Pennsylvania, including:
- Shared ride service in all 67 regions;
- Fixed route bus service in 49 regions; and:
- Fixed rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
“We are pleased that so many Pennsylvanians have signed up for these important services, and we encourage more to apply,” said PennDOT Secretary Yasmin Gramian. “Transit provides a vital connection to jobs, medical appointments and our communities.”
Citizens are encouraged to use FMR Apply, an online tool developed in partnership with transit agencies that simplifies the application process for eight transportation assistance programs across the state, including the Senior Shared Ride Program, the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), ADA Supplemental the program. paratransit, a program for people with disabilities; Free transit program; The area agency funds rides for people ages 60-64, half-price/reduced fares on fixed routes for people with disabilities, and discounted public transit service for veterans. In addition, FMR Apply allows third parties, such as a family member or health care provider, to apply for services on a driver’s behalf.
In fiscal year 2020-21, Pennsylvanians were provided 24.4 million rides supported by these programs. In the 2020-21 financial year, an additional 141 million journeys were provided by fixed-route service, including 17.7 million free for seniors.
Since the introduction of FMR Apply in May 2021 through transit agencies, it has been easier for the public to access these programs. Customers do not need to decide what programs they are eligible for, and this, along with a user-friendly application, has led to an increase in applications. Automatic data validation in the application has resulted in improved data accuracy, which saves transit agencies time and money in processing applications. Transit agencies can process applications more efficiently, allowing transit users to access benefits more quickly.
“Find My Ride is a great example of collaboration between government agencies and we encourage anyone who may need transportation services to take advantage of it. No one should let a lack of transportation keep you from getting to a doctor’s appointment or filling a prescription,” said DHS Acting Secretary Meg Sneyd.
DHS’s MATP program provides non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid-eligible consumers who do not have access to transportation. MATP has funded more than 15 million trips since 2019, and each county provides the type of transportation that costs the least while still meeting individual needs.
Find My Ride’s educational and application modules were developed over two years, made possible by $1 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and $1 million in state transit funding. In June 2022, additional EPA funds were made available through a program expanded under the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
New FTA funds will allow for expanded FMR upgrades to streamline public access to the tool, as well as streamline processes for health care providers and MATP administrators. Some examples of system improvements supported by these new grant funds include:
- Allowing consumers to request fixed route and mileage reimbursement support directly through FMR and enabling them to transfer reimbursements directly to their bank account;
- Creating an interface between FMR and DHS’s PROMISe system to allow MATP administrators to automatically verify a consumer’s MATP eligibility;
- Allow MATP administrators to issue fixed route tickets and passes directly to the consumer’s mobile ticketing application; and:
- Giving health care providers a way to verify a visit through the system.
Information about public transportation and alternative transportation options such as ridesharing, bicycling, and walking are available on PennDOT’s website.
Comments