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Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council People with Disabilities Support Rural Transportation ProgramHARRISBURG, March 8 – Hundreds of people with disabilities were joined by state Sen. James Rhodes, R-Schuylkill, House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene and other policymakers at a rally in support the Persons with Disabilities Rural Transportation Program in the Capitol East Wing Rotunda. Despite $6 million in state funding set aside for the efficient and successful program in the last two years, PennDOT is balking at requests from legislators and Governor Rendell to release millions for the program. This blatantly discriminatory policy is forcing people with disabilities in rural counties throughout Pennsylvania to lose their jobs and is a violation of their civil rights protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Persons with Disabilities Rural Transportation Program was created in 2001 and is funded by PennDOT to provide affordable accessible transportation on Shared-Ride vehicles in eight rural counties. The highly successful program was extended to 16 additional rural counties in 2003. "Working together with tireless advocates, I am pleased that the Shared Ride Program for People with Disabilities is now a reality in 28 counties throughout the Commonwealth. However, our work is not done yet. We must make affordable transportation available to all persons with disabilities across the Commonwealth," said Rhoades. In the last four years, this critical program has provided more than 300,000 trips to people with disabilities in the 24 counties where it exists. Program participants pay an average of $1.50 per ride. State studies show 45 percent of the trips are for work, 19 percent for doctors' appointments and 16 percent for recreation. However, the failure of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to spend millions of dollars set aside for the program in the state budget has denied thousands of people in the remaining 41 counties access to transportation. In counties without the program, people with disabilities must use the Shared-Ride program for senior citizens, but it can cost as much as $20 to go a short distance. A senior would pay a fraction of that price. "The Shared-Ride vehicles are already on the road, already accessible, already serving the community. This will simply make transportation and independence affordable to people with disabilities," said John Tassone of the Transportation Alliance. The 2003/04 state budget made $3 million available for the program, but despite a waiting list of counties that had applied for the program, PennDOT left $1 million unspent. The trend has continued this year. The current state budget makes $3 million available, which included $1.2 million that could have been used to expand the program. However, with several counties still on a waiting list for funding, in January PennDOT diverted $1 million to cover the shortfall in the state's public transportation system. Despite this cut, $200,000 remains unspent that could expand the program to four counties if PennDOT were to release the funds. For the 2005/06 budget, Governor Rendell is again proposing $3 million for the program. If the full amount is made available it would be possible for persons with disabilities in 11 additional counties to live independently and participate in the community. However, they could have been enjoying the basic freedom of transportation two years ago if PennDOT had fulfilled its responsibilities. "This program makes independence possible for thousands of people with disabilities," said Bob Schmitt of the Transportation Advocacy Project. "Full use of the $3 million would fund 14,000 trips per month and allow some people to keep their jobs and help others get jobs. "Often people with disabilities are forced to turn down job offers, because their counties do not have accessible transportation that is affordable."
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