Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties Pennsylvania ...

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry 

Counties Pennsylvania 

Coordinated Public Transit – Human 

Service Transportation Plan 

Prepared by: 

Coordinated Transportation Steering Committee 

Facilitated by: 

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) 

Cumberland County Transportation Department (CCTD) 

Capital Area Transit (CAT) 

Perry County Transportation Authority (PCTA) 

Approved By: 

Harrisburg Area Transportation Study 

June 22, 2007

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties Pennsylvania 

Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan 

HATS FFY 2007 Certification 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) is the organization that will consider and 

approve the plans and programs and the Federal and State funding, for the highway and transit 

systems in the Harrisburg Urbanized Area and Tri-County Region. Organizational members include 

the Counties of Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry, Harrisburg City, the Pennsylvania Department of 

Transportation and Capital Area Transit. 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS), as the lead agency, has formally adopted 

on June 22, 2007, a locally developed, coordinated public transit – human services transportation plan 

from which projects selected from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2007 funding under the Section 5310 

Program, Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and New Freedoms Program shall be derived. 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) has established a Public Transit – Human 

Services Transportation Plan Task Force, which includes the participation of representatives of public, 

private, and non-profit transportation and human services providers and members of the public. 

HATS, through its committee member selection process, has documented its good faith efforts to 

solicit involvement from the proper stakeholder interest groups. 

Through its comprehensive review, the Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan 

Task Force has identified strategies and/or activities to address identified service gaps and set relative 

priorities for implementation by determining the priority order of all section 5310 program 

applications for Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties, Pennsylvania. In FFY 2007, there were no 

applications for funding for the JARC or New Freedoms programs. 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) has developed and adopted a coordinated 

plan, which is attached, that includes at a minimum the following elements: 

 

 

 

 

List of the groups that were represented by participants of the task force, 

Documentation of the HATS’ good faith efforts to solicit involvement in the task force. 

The HATS’ identification of strategies and/or activities to address identified service gaps and set relative 

priorities for implementation through it determination of the priority order of applications for Section 

5310, JARC, and New Freedoms funding within its jurisdiction. 

Prioritized list of such applications. 

Representative Mark Keller, Chairman 


Date

Table of Contents 

CUMBERLAND / DAUPHIN / PERRY COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA COORDINATED 

PUBLIC TRANSIT – HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION PLAN .............................. 1 

ABOUT THE HARRISBURG REGION ................................................................................... 1 

HATS ..................................................................................................................................................2 

TCRPC ...............................................................................................................................................2 

Paratransit Services............................................................................................................................2 

SECTION #1: PROVIDERS AND SERVICES ......................................................................... 4 

Providers:............................................................................................................................................4 

Services ..............................................................................................................................................6 

Handicap Accessible Transportation ................................................................................................11 

SECTION #2: TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT............................................. 12 

Persons with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................12 

Persons 65 years of Age or older .....................................................................................................13 

People with Low-Income...................................................................................................................15 

Households with no Vehicle Access .................................................................................................17 

Other Areas of Concern....................................................................................................................19 

Transportation NEEDS by Region ....................................................................................................24 

SECTION #3: TRANSPORTATION GAPS.......................................................................... 32 

SECTION #4: PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION....................................................... 34 

Priorities............................................................................................................................................34 

5310 REVIEW APPLICATION SCORE SHEET................................................................... 35 

Overview...........................................................................................................................................35 

Section 5310 Application Review Score Sheet .......................................................................................37 

HARRISBURG REGION FFY 2007 5310 APPLICATION REVIEWS ................................ 38 

FFY 2007 5310 Grant Application Recommendations .....................................................................48 

HATS COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT – HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION 

TASK FORCE ........................................................................................................................... 49 

Task Force Members:.......................................................................................................................49 

COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT – HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION TASK 

FORCE MEETING ...................................................................................................................50 

Community Outreach Efforts to form Task Force .............................................................................54 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: ..................................................................................... 1 

Executive Order: Human Service Transportation Coordination..........................................................1 

PennDOT: Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plans...............................1

Cumberland / Dauphin / Perry Counties, Pennsylvania Coordinated Public 

Transit – Human Service Transportation Plan 

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 

(SAFETEA-LU) signed into law on August 10, 2005 requires that a coordinated plan for transit be 

developed for each region. A Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Plan 

(CPT-HSTP) identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and 

people with low incomes, and provides strategies for meeting those local needs and prioritizes 

transportation services for funding and implementation. 

A diverse group of stakeholders was invited to assist with the following: 

Conduct an assessment of available services (public, private, and non-profit) 

Identify transportation needs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. 

 

Develop strategies and/or activities to address the identified gaps and achieve efficiencies, where 

possible, in service delivery. 

Identify priorities for implementing the strategy/activities based on resources, time, and feasibility for 

implementation. 

The group of stakeholders will serve as the task force, on behalf of the Harrisburg Area 

Transportation Study (HATS) to specifically deal with issues related to transit and human services 

transportation coordination. The committee will meet on an as needed basis to identify the needs, 

develop strategy, and assist with program implementation. 

Strategies and Activities derived from this plan may afford the opportunity to be funded 

through Section 5310, Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and New Freedoms programs. 

About the Harrisburg Region 

The Harrisburg Metropolitan Region is situated in South Central Pennsylvania. The region 

includes the three counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry. The major employment centers of 

the region include the City of Harrisburg, which is the State Capital, and the surrounding 

municipalities in both Cumberland and Dauphin Counties. Major communities in the region include 

Hershey (part of Derry Township), Middletown, Hummelstown, Halifax, Elizabethville, Camp Hill, 

Carlisle, Shippensburg, Marysville, Newport, and New Bloomfield. As of the 2000 census, the 

population of the three counties was around 510,000. The area provides a number of public 

transportation options for those who live in the area, commute into the area for work, and visit the 

Pennsylvania State Capital area for work or pleasure. 

Capital Area Transit (CAT) provides fixed-route bus service to Downtown Harrisburg and 

the surrounding communities in Dauphin and Cumberland counties. CAT also provides Paratransit 

services for the elderly and disabled residents in Dauphin County, while the Cumberland County 

Transportation Department serves residents in Cumberland County and the Perry County 

Transportation Authority serves those in Perry County. 

Other important services include several inter-city and private charter bus companies serving 

the Harrisburg area, AMTRAK Passenger Rail Service, the Harrisburg International Airport, and other 

private transit providers. User fees, and local, state, and federal transit and transportation funds fund 

public transit in the area. 

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Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Plan

In the Harrisburg area, the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) oversees the use of 

these public funds. The following report provides a general overview of public transit in the 

Harrisburg region. 

HATS 

HATS is a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The HATS region 

encompasses the three counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry and by virtue of their location 

within the Harrisburg urbanized area, Palmyra Borough and North Londonderry and South 

Londonderry Townships in Lebanon County. 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) is a federally designated Metropolitan 

Planning Organization (MPO), an organization of federal, state, and local agencies, and officials from 

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties, the City of Harrisburg, and Capital Area Transit. HATS 

was created in response to the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, which mandated regional 

transportation planning as a condition for receiving federal funds for transportation projects. 

HATS’ three member counties, the Department of Highways (PennDOT’s predecessor), and 

the City of Harrisburg entered into an agreement on February 11, 1965 to provide for a continuing, 

comprehensive, coordinated transportation planning process for the Harrisburg area. Recognizing 

the need to include a voice for transit, HATS welcomed Capital Area Transit into membership in 

1992. 

TCRPC 

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) serves as the lead-planning agency 

for HATS. TCRPC staff works closely with the HATS Committees to advise on regional policy and 

capital funding issues such as transportation, the environment, and land use, in the Harrisburg area. 

Paratransit Services 

Cumberland, Perry, and Dauphin Counties provide specialized transportation services to 

residents unable to access normal modes of public and private transportation such as bus service or 

driving private vehicles. Each county has slightly different requirements for eligibility but all 

requirements are guided by the regulations set forth in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Cumberland and Perry provide these services under the direction of their county transportation 

departments while Dauphin County contracts with Capital Area Transit to provide these services. 

CAT Shared-Ride Service 

CAT Shared-A-Ride provides service, which is shared-ride in nature. That means riders will 

likely be riding with others and that other individuals may be picked up and dropped off before the 

rider reaches their destination. The goal is to make sure, in most instances, that no one rides for 

more than an hour, but the trip may well take longer than if a person was traveling in his or her own 

vehicle, and passengers need to plan accordingly. 

The service provided is door-to-door. Most of the vans have wheelchair lifts. Passengers 

receive assistance from drivers with walking, boarding, and exiting the vehicle, up to the door of your 

home or destination. Drivers cannot, however, take a wheelchair up or down steps, or provide any 

lifting assistance for passengers. 

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All users of specialized services must be registered with CAT Share-A-Ride, and reservations 

are required. If a rider must cancel a trip, he or she must call the Dispatch Office (Harrisburg—232- 

6104, extension 136; Elizabethville— 362-3321) at least one hour before the scheduled pick-up time. 

Cumberland County Transportation Department 

CCTD Shared Ride service may be thought of as a bus service. It provides curb-to-curb 

transportation for Cumberland County residents to anywhere in Cumberland County. It also offers 

transportation for medical appointments to places just over the Franklin County line and to just over 

the Dauphin County line to include the Capitol Complex, and limited trips to Hershey Medical 

Center. 

CCTD drivers will provide transportation if the client is present at the pick-up curb and can 

depart the vehicle at the drop off point. CCTD are not personal care attendants. The Shared Ride 

system is wheelchair accessible. The CCTD drivers are not responsible to care for a client if no one 

is home. If a client needs help getting to and from the pick up point, the client must make the 

necessary arrangements. 

Shared Ride service is not a taxi or limousine. Clients share the vehicle with others taking 

similar trips. You may need to adjust your travel times to accommodate other client’s schedules. 

Space is limited and cannot be guaranteed, and service depends on demand. In rural parts of the 

County, service is limited. Clients should be flexible about when they travel and on what route they 

are taken. 

Perry County Transportation Authority 

The Perry County Transportation Authority (PCTA) provides Share-A-Ride service for 

eligible residents and commuter service for residents of Perry County between the hours of 6:00 AM 

and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Currently no service is provided on Saturday, Sunday, or most 

major holidays. 80% of all PCTA vehicles are handicapped accessible. 

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SECTION #1: PROVIDERS and SERVICES 

Providers: 

Many public transportation providers in the Harrisburg region provide transportation to those who 

choose not to use or cannot operate a personal vehicle. The following section lists those providers 

in the Harrisburg region. 

Organization Address City Zip Phone 

Fixed Route Transportation Providers 

Capital Area Transit (CAT) 901 N Cameron St Harrisburg 17105-1571 (717) 233-5657 

- Fixed-Route bus service serving Dauphin & Cumberland Counties, and portion of Northern York County 

Raider Regional Transit (RRT) 

05 Horton Hall – 

Shippensburg Univ. 

4 

Shippensburg 17257-2210 (717) 530-8891 

- Fixed-Route bus service to the Shippensburg University and the Borough of Shippensburg. 

RabbitTransit (YCTA) 1230 Roosevelt Ave York 17404-2206 (800) 632-9063 

- Fixed-Route express bus service from York County to Downtown Harrisburg. 

County of Lebanon Transit Authority 

200 Willow St Lebanon 17046-4873 (717) 274-9469 

(COLT) 

- Fixed Route bus service from the City of Lebanon to the Outlets at Hershey and express bus service to the 

Hershey Medical Center, both in Derry Township, Dauphin County. 

Paratransit / Share-A-Ride Providers 

Capital Area Transit (CAT) – 

Share-A-Ride Division 

901 N Cameron St Harrisburg 17105-1571 (717) 232-6104 

- Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Dauphin County, with offices in Harrisburg and Elizabethville. 

Cumberland County Transportation 

310 Allen Rd. Carlisle 17013-3072 (800) 315-2546 

Dept. (CCDT) 

- Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Cumberland County, with offices located in Carlisle. 


208 Fickes St Newport 17074 (877) 800-7433 

(PCTA) 

- Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Perry County, with offices located in Newport. 

Rohr Bus Company 

- Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service provider for Dauphin County, coordinated through the CAT Share-A-Ride 

program. 

Inter-City Bus Providers 

Capitol Trailways 1061 S Cameron St Harrisburg 17104-2530 (800) 333-8444 

- Service from Harrisburg to Hummelstown, Hershey, Palmyra, Lebanon, Reading, York, Lancaster, Ephrata, 

King of Prussia, and Philadelphia. 

Fullington Trailways 316 Cherry St Clearfield 16830-2362 (800) 942-8287 

- Service from Harrisburg to Duncannon, Newport, Millerstown, Lewistown, State College and on to Pittsburgh. 

Susquehanna Trailways 56 E Third St Williamsport 17701-6634 (800) 692-6314 

- Service from Harrisburg to Amity Hall, New Buffalo, Liverpool, Route 104 Park and Ride on US-11/15, 

Selinsgrove, Sunbury, Williamsport, and Elmira, NY. 

Greyhound Lines 411 Market St Harrisburg 17101-2302 (800) 231-2222 

- Service from Harrisburg to York, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Sunbury, Bloomsburg, Wilkes Barre, Scranton, 

Syracuse New York, State College, Altoona, Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, Columbus 

Ohio, Indianapolis Indiana, and St. Louis Missouri. 

Regional Bus Providers 

Hegins Valley Lines 558 Bowman St Millersburg 17061-1105 (717) 692-2717 

- Service from Upper Dauphin County (Elizabethville, Millersburg, Halifax) to Downtown Harrisburg. 

R&J Transportation P.O. Box 69 Cressona 17929 (800) 722-4488 

- Service from Schuylkill County (Frackville, Hegins Valley, Minersville, Cressona, Pine Grove) to Downtown 

Harrisburg. 



Regional Rail Providers 

Amtrak 411 Market St Harrisburg 17101 (800) USA-RAIL 

- Service from Harrisburg to Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mt. Joy, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Lewistown, Altoona, 

Johnstown, Pittsburgh 

Non-Profit Service Providers 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, Inc. 925 Linda Lane Camp Hill 17011-6402 (717) 737-3477 

- UCP Central PA meets the unique transportation needs of over 400 low-income non-elderly adults with severe 

mental and physical disabilities. The people that benefit from the transportation services include the people that 

are involved with the UCP residential program, adult day training programs, or home based services for 

personal care and independent living. 

Goodwill Industries of Central PA, Inc. 1150 Goodwill Dr Harrisburg 17101-2400 (717) 232-1831 

- Goodwill has three vans dedicated to transporting our participants and support staff to various Community 

Skills Program activities that are part of Goodwill's daily activities. 

The Stevens Center 33 State Ave Carlisle 17013-4432 (717) 243-6033 

Mt. Zion School of Ministry R.D. 1, Box 7380 Grantville 17028 (717) 865-2000 

The ARC of Dauphin & Lebanon Cty 2569 Walnut St Harrisburg 17103-1760 (717) 540-5800 

Tri-County Association for the Blind 1800 N Second St Harrisburg 17102-2207 (717) 238-2531 

Taxi Cab Companies 

American Taxi 1301 N Cameron St Harrisburg 17103-1011 (717) 901-TAXI 

- Provides handicap accessible van 

Capital City Cab 362 Front St Steelton 17113-2537 (717) 939-6363 

- 

Keystone Cab 620 S 13th St Harrisburg 17104-2204 (717) 234-4400 

- 

Car and Van-Pooling Options: 

Commuter Services of South Central 4507 N. Front St., 

Pennsylvania 

Suite 200 

Harrisburg 17110 (866) 579-RIDE 

- Provides Car and Van-Pool matchup services, Emergency Ride Home Program, Employer outreach, 

promotion of transit alternatives. 

Other Transportation Entities 

Auto and Van Rental Companies 

Charter Bus Companies 

Limousine Service 

Airport to Hotel Shuttle Services 

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Services 

The Federal Government, Pennsylvania State Agencies, and PennDOT have made available a number 

of programs, which provide discounted Share-A-Ride transportation for those who qualify. The 

following section provides an overview of the programs available to residents who live in the 

Harrisburg Region 

Free Transit Program for Senior Citizens 

The Pennsylvania Free Transit Program provides free transportation for persons age sixty-five or 

older during off peak hours through participating transportation organizations that provide fixedroute 

public transportation services. Non-peak riding hours, based on scheduled boarding time for 

all hours except the following: 

A. for intercity bus, local public bus, subway-elevated and trolley service: 

7:00 am to 7:59 am and from 4:30 pm to 5:29 pm inclusive 

B. for commuter trains and intercity trains: 

Trains, which arrive at the main terminal from 7:00 am to 7:59 am, and trains, which depart the main 

terminal from 4:30 pm to 5:29 pm. 

C. Free rides on regional transportation provider systems are available within 35 miles of boarding location. 

Persons age sixty-five or older may also ride free at all times on weekends and the following holidays: 

A. New Year's Day*, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, 

Independence Day*, Labor Day, Columbus Day (observed), Veteran’s Day*, Thanksgiving Day and 

Christmas Day* for all systems (*indicates holiday is observed on weekday when holiday occurs on 

weekend) that provide service on these days 

Local Participants: 

Capital Area Transit (CAT): Fixed-Route bus system serving Cumberland & Dauphin Counties. 

Raider Regional Transit (RRT): serving the Shippensburg area. 

Capitol Trailways: from Harrisburg to York, Hershey, Palmyra, Annville, Cleona, Lebanon, or Carlisle. 

Fullington Trailways: from Harrisburg to Duncannon or Newport. 

Greyhound Lines: from Harrisburg to York, Millerstown, or Thompsontown. 

Share-A-Ride Program for Senior Citizens 

This program provides reduced rates for senior citizens 65 and older throughout Pennsylvania. Senior 

citizens pay 15% of the fare and the Lottery fund pays the remaining 85% on local Share-A-Ride doorto-door 

advance reservation transportation service. To qualify for the reduced fare, seniors must be 

at least 65 years of age and be able to supply one of the eligible proofs of age to the local Share-A- 

Ride provider in their county. Over $60 million is reimbursed to the Share-A-Ride providers 

throughout Pennsylvania on an annual basis. The Share-A-Ride Program discount is available during 

all general public transportation service hours, which are determined locally. Senior Citizens fares 

are subsidized by the Pennsylvania State Lottery Fund through a grant from the Department of 

Transportation and Cumberland County Area Agency on Aging. 

If the participant is 65 or older and live within ¼ mile of a public bus route (in both Cumberland and 

Dauphin Counties) and their destination is within ¼ mile of a public bus route, they should use the 

6 



fixed route/public bus transportation when possible. An exception may be made for extenuating 

circumstances. Free transportation is available during non-peak hours. However, an ID Card must 

be obtained from the public mass transportation provider, Capital Area Transit (CAT). Telephone 

238-8304 for additional information. 


Dauphin County: Senior Citizens, 65 years old and above, with a Senior Citizen Transit Card can use 

the CAT Shared Ride services for $2.25 a trip. 

Cumberland County: Senior Citizens, 65 years old and above, registered with the lottery program, can 

pay the reduced fare (15% of the full fare). Call the Cumberland County Transportation Department 

(800) 315-2546 for additional information. 

Perry County: Similar to the Cumberland County program, those 65 years old and above, registered 

with the lottery program, can pay the reduced fare (15% of full fare). Call the Perry County 

Transportation Authority, (877) 800-7433 for more information. 

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) 

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties offer additional 

transportation assistance to seniors, age 60 and up. 

Dauphin County provides funding for transportation to County residents between the ages of 60 to 

64 under the Older Americans Act. To apply, contact the Dauphin County Agency on Aging at (717) 

780-6130. 

In Cumberland County, Share-A-Ride trips are offered to individuals, age 60 and over. The agency 

assists persons age 60 and older access transportation to medical and social service agency 

appointments, senior centers, grocery shopping, work, banks, pharmacies, laundromats, volunteer 

work, and visiting immediate family members who are in a hospital or nursing facility. These trips are 

usually limited to locations within Cumberland County, and are provided at no cost to you. 


Dauphin County: For those 60 and over, contact the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 

780-6130 for applications and other information for these additional services. 

 

 

Cumberland County: For those 60 and over, call the Cumberland County Transportation Department 

(800) 315-2546 for additional information. For other AAA information, call the Cumberland County Area 

Agency on Aging at (717) 240-6110. 

Perry County: Contact the Perry County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 582-2131 for information on 

there services or contact the Perry County Transportation Authority (877) 800-7433 for information on 

senior transportation services. 

Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) 

MATP provides transportation to medical services for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers who do 

not have other transportation available to them. These transportation services are provided through 

County governments. The counties either provide transportation services directly or hire a 

transportation provider depending on the transportation resources available in a county, the 

transportation available may be: 

tickets or tokens to ride public transportation, 

 

 

reimbursement for bus passes, 

mileage reimbursement for use of a private car, or 

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Paratransit services (for example, in a van). 

The county will provide the type of transportation that is the least expensive while still meeting the 

consumer’s needs. 

Transportation is available to almost any service that MA pays for. Transportation can be provided 

to physicians, dentists, health clinics, podiatrists, rural health clinics, hospice programs, physical 

therapists, outpatient services, pharmacies, drug and alcohol clinics, mental health centers, outpatient 

rehab services, optometrists, dialysis clinics, psychologists, and ambulatory surgical services. Services 

that MATP does not include are emergency or other transportation requiring an ambulance, 

transportation to sheltered workshops, day care programs, transportation for visitation purposes, 

stretcher service, door-through-door service, transportation to non-medical services, and 

transportation during severe weather when deemed unsafe or transportation to any medical services 

that are not payable through the Medical Assistance Program. Exceptional transportation costs such 

as air travel, lodging, meals, and attendants are paid for by local County Assistance Offices instead of 

MATP. 


Dauphin County: Contact the Center for Community Building (717) 232-7009 in Harrisburg Area, (800) 

309-8905 in the Elizabethville area, to sign up for the MATP program, schedule service for any medical 

transportation, for further information about the program, or to submit complaints about service. CCB is 

open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 

 

 

Cumberland County: Contact the Cumberland County Transportation Department (800) 315-2546 for 

additional information. 

Perry County: Contact the Perry County Transportation Authority (877) 800-7433 for information on 

MATP services. 

MATP Urgent Care 

MATP Urgent Care is an extension of the MATP program. Transportation for urgent care services 

can be provided when it is validated urgent by a physician/provider. Contact the county 

transportation department for definition of urgent care. 


Dauphin County: Contact the Center for Community Building (717) 232-7009 in Harrisburg Area, (800) 

309-8905 in the Elizabethville area, to sign up for the MATP program, schedule service for any medical 

transportation, for further information, or to submit complaints about service. 

 

 

Cumberland County: Urgent care transportation is obtained by notifying CCTD from 7:00 AM through 

4:30 PM Monday through Friday by calling the office at (717) 240-6340 or (800) 315-2546. On 

Saturday, Sunday, after 4:30 PM or on one of our holidays, call (800) 367-0512 ext. 3 or (717) 763- 

2108. If the transportation can be received during our service hours, notify our office. If you schedule a 

trip and it is not urgent care, you may be billed for the trip. 

Perry County: Contact the PCTA (877) 800-7433 for information on the Urgent Care program in Perry 

County. 

Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) 

The Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) provides counties with a flexible source of funding 

to be used within the seven human services programs for which the counties are responsible: Adult 

Services, Aging, Children and Youth, Drug and Alcohol, Homeless Assistance, and the Community 

Mental Health/Mental Retardation programs. These funds are used to expand existing services in any 

8 



or all of the seven program areas, for the coordination of services among those programs, and for 

specialized or generic services. 

The flexibility offered by HSDF allows counties to maximize both program and cost efficiencies in 

serving individuals and families with multiple needs as well as the specialized needs of certain client 

groups. In addition, HSDF affords counties the opportunity to negotiate one contract for services 

used by more than one program, such as Homemaker Service or Transportation Service, rather than 

negotiating and monitoring separate contracts for these services for each program. Funds are 

distributed to all 67 counties. Each county develops a plan for the use of the HSDF and submits it for 

review and approval. 

Individuals that are 18-59 years old and meet the income guidelines are eligible for transportation to 

social service appointments. Contact the County HSDF Agency for information and application 

materials. There is no charge for this service. HSDF funds are very limited, and often used only as an 

additional source of fund not paid for by other programs. 


Dauphin County: Contact HSDF Office for information at: (717) 780-6297 

Cumberland County: Call the Cumberland County Transportation Department (800) 315-2546 or HSDF 

Office: (717) 240-6476 for additional information. 

Perry County: Contact HSDF Office for information at: (717) 582-2131 

Mental Health / Mental Retardation (MH/MR) Program 

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is responsible for supervising a 

comprehensive mental health and mental retardation program for citizens of the Commonwealth. 

The major goal of this program is to improve the level of functioning of individuals with mental 

retardation who have never attained an adequate level of basic daily living skills. Children's services, 

mental health services, and mental retardation services are provided via county agencies. The 

agencies subsidize some trips to sheltered workshops, alternative programs, and mental health 

facilities. County MH/MR Case Management staff determines client eligibility, and the County Share- 

A-Ride providers administer the program. 


Dauphin County: The Dauphin County MH/MR program will determine if their clients are eligible to use 

that CAT Share-A-Ride Service and if so, register them. For more information or to sign up for MH/MR 

services call the Case Management Unit at (717) 232-8761. 

Cumberland County: Contact Cumberland County Human Services, 16 West High Street, Suite 301, 

Carlisle, PA 17013, (888) 697-0371 

Perry County: Contact Perry County MH/MR offices at: (877) 800-7433 or (717) 582-2131 for more 

information. 

Rural Transportation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) 

This program provides reduced rates on Share-A-Ride transportation services for persons with 

disabilities in selected counties in Pennsylvania, including Dauphin and Cumberland Counties. Share- 

A-Ride trips for persons with disabilities are discounted up to 85% if the trip is not eligible under any 

other funding program. The passenger pays at least 15% of the general public Share-A-Ride fare on 

local Share-A-Ride door-to-door advance reservation transportation service. To qualify for the 

9 



educed fare, persons with disabilities must present proof of disability to the local Share-A-Ride 

provider in their county. 

If a person lives within ¾ of a mile of public transportation and their destination is also within ¾ of a 

mile of public transportation they are required to call the public transportation provider for their 

complementary service, Special Efforts Transportation (SET). In Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, 

SET services are provided by Capital Area Transit (CAT) at 232-6104, or Shippensburg by Raider 

Regional Transit at 530-8891. When eligible, this program provides a discount greater than the SET 

program and covers trips that may not be covered in the SET program. 


Dauphin County: Contact CAT Share-A-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional 

information on the program. 

Cumberland County: Contact the Cumberland County Transportation Department (800) 315-2546 to 

apply or find out additional information on the program. 

Perry County: Contact the Perry County Transportation Authority (877) 800-7433 to apply or find out 

additional information on the program. 

Special Efforts Transportation (SET) 

SET provides door-to-door service for those people who are unable to access the regular CAT fixedroute 

bus system due to a physical or mental handicap. An application is necessary with certification 

of the qualifying disability by a physician or human services professional. CAT provides SET service 

to anyone that lives within ¾ of a mile of any CAT fixed-route bus. For those living in Cumberland 

County that live within ¾ of a mile of a CAT bus route, they should use CATs SET service before 

using Cumberland County’s Shared Ride services. 


Dauphin County: Contact CAT Share-A-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional 

information on the program. 

Cumberland County: Contact CAT Share-A-Ride program (717) 232-6100, to apply or find out additional 

information on the program if you live within ¾ mile of any bus route within Cumberland County. 

Perry County: Program is not currently available in Perry County. If fixed-bus route service is provided 

into Perry County in the future, those within ¾ mile of such route would be eligible. 

Welfare-to-Work Program 

The Welfare-to-Work Transportation Program provides funding to grantee agencies for the 

transportation of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and low-income individuals to 

work and support services, such as child care. Program participants must be members of TANF (see 

website: ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/PublicTransportation/lottery/w2wEligibility.doc for more information) eligible 

families, families with incomes less than 235TH percentile of the Federal Family Poverty Income 

Guidelines, and must be working. Transportation modes that are used by different grantees include 

fixed-route bus service, paratransit Share-A-Ride, taxis, shuttle/vanpools, and reimbursement to 

volunteers for use of their vehicles. 

The development of partnerships is a priority of the program. In the Welfare to Work (see 

ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/PublicTransportation/lottery/w2wPartnershipAgreement.doc for more information) 

Partnership Agreement, grantees are required to document coordination and cooperative activities 

among transportation providers, county assistance offices, economic development organizations, 

10 



employers and support service providers. In many communities, there is also participation by 

regional planners, faith-based organizations, and housing providers. 

For those transitioning from public assistance to paid employment, temporary transportation is 

provided through PennDOT’s welfare-to-work program. The program only pays for trips related to 

work, employment training, and child-care. For more information, contact 


Dauphin County: For more information on the program, contact the CAT Share-A-Ride program (717) 

232-6100. 

Cumberland County: does not currently participate in the welfare to work program. 

 

Perry County: Contact the Perry County Transportation Authority (877) 800-7433 for information on the 

program in Perry County. 

Handicap Accessible Transportation 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Public Law 336 of the 101st Congress, was enacted July 

26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with 

disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial 

facilities, and transportation. Below is a brief overview of Handicap accessible transportation in the 


CAT Fixed-Route buses: All CAT buses are now wheel-chair () accessible. 

 

 

Dauphin/Cumberland/Perry Shared Ride vehicles: The majority of the County Shared Ride vehicles 

are wheel-chair accessible. When scheduling trip, make sure to let them know wheel-chair services are 

needed. 

Transit Facilities: 

o Harrisburg Transportation Center: fully accessible station. 

o Lancaster Transportation Center: accessible to street, parking lot, and station platform, other 

station services, however, are not fully accessible. 

o Middletown, Elizabethtown, and Mt. Joy Amtrak Stations: currently not accessible. Future 

station improvements planned at these stations would include handicap accessibility for these 

stations. 

o Harrisburg International Airport: fully accessible facility. 

11 



SECTION #2: Transportation NEEDS Assessment 

The following section assesses the transportation needs of the following individuals: 

Persons with Disabilities 

Persons 65 years of age or older 

Persons with Low income 

Households without Vehicles 

Other Persons of Concern 

Persons with Disabilities 

Whether it is by plane, train, bus, or automobile, people with disabilities need access to 

transportation. Inadequate and inaccessible transportation is an obstacle that confronts people with 

disabilities. Access to transportation is vital to independence; it affects the employment, political 

participation, entertainment, socializing, and religious attendance of all people with disabilities. 

Disabled persons include those with physical handicaps, those with sensory disabilities (sight and 

hearing), mental handicaps, those unable to be employed, and other issues, which prohibit ease of 

access. 

As part of the 2007 update of the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) 2030 Regional 

Transportation Plan, census data concerning persons who could be disproportionably affecting by 

transportation projects was analyzed. In each category, the percentage of people defined in a 

category in each census block-group was compared to the percentage of people in that category for 

the entire HATS region. Each census block-group, which had a higher percentage than the regional 

average, was deemed an “Area of Concern,” where the affects of transportation projects and 

programs should be examined more closely. The tables provided here show an analysis of each 

category, broken down by county. 

Disabled Population in the Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

Pop. Where 

Disability 

Known 

Pop. w/o 

Disability 

Pop. w/ 

Disability 

% of Pop 

w/ 

Disability 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 193,858 169,546 24,312 12.5% 61 44.5% 

Dauphin 231,602 197,615 33,987 14.7% 104 54.5% 

Perry 40,470 35,196 5,274 13.0% 17 48.6% 

Lebanon (HATS area) 17,968 15,731 2,237 12.4% 5 45.5% 

Total 483,898 418,088 65,810 13.6% 187 50.0% 

HATS Regional Threshold = 13.6% 

The identified disabled population for the region is around 13.6%. Areas with disabled persons 

greater than the regional average are distributed throughout the region in both urban and rural areas. 

The disabled, especially those who are physically and sensory disabled are especially dependent on 

others to provide their transportation needs. 

Many of the disabled in this region rely on the area Share-A-Ride systems to get them to work, the 

doctor, and other activities. In Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry County’s, disabled residents can get 

discounted trips to places that are not covered by other programs. In the short term, work needs to 

12 



continue to provide these services to the disabled throughout the region and in Pennsylvania. In the 

long term, planners at all levels of government need to work on reducing transportation barriers. 

Major Transportation NEEDS 

Transportation that is available to get people both to and from work, even if the person works nonstandard 

hours. 

Access to all institutions of social interaction including employment locations, commercial and shopping 

centers, recreational facilities, entertainment complexes, faith-based facilities, social events, medical 

facilities, and other places where people gather. 

Transportation that is accessible to persons with any type of disability. 

If transportation will be required by multiple providers, the transportation should be coordinated 

sufficiently to ensure transfers are kept to a minimum of disruption to the transportation user. 

Coordinate efforts between public entities and private community organization providers such as longterm 

care, assisted living, and group home needs. 

Having transportation available during evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

Ensure that all disabled persons are aware of the public and private transportation options available to 

them. 

Those with limited or diminished mental capacity have advocates who can arrange transportation for 

them. 

Whenever possible, transportation should be accessible enough that those with disabilities can obtain 

transportation under their own power. Needs to improve transportation access include: 

o Providing and maintaining sidewalks so disabled persons have safe access to areas where they 

can obtain transportation. 

o Improve intersection design to allow those with handicaps to cross intersections safely. 

o Make all public transportation wheel-chair accessible, and make sure transportation facilities 

allow ease of access. 

Persons 65 years of Age or older 

The American society is aging rapidly. The median age of America's population rose from 28 to 34 

between 1970 and 1995. One reason for this increase is the proportion of those ages 75 and older is 

increasing. By 2030, the proportion of the population over the age of 75 is projected to rise from 

six percent to nine percent. The fastest growing segment of the elderly, the population aged 85 and 

over is expected to double (to seven million) by 2020. 

Different mobility issues face the elderly because they typically drive less, have lower incomes, have 

health problems, and may require special services and facilities. The majority of older people age in 

the places they lived while working. Increasingly these are suburban or rural communities where it is 

difficult to access services or facilities without a car, and where it has generally been difficult to 

provide transit services. 

13 



Senior Citizen Population in the Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

Total 

Population 

Age 60-64 

% of Pop 

60-64 

Age 65+ 

% of Pop 

65+ 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 213,674 9,189 4.3% 31,784 14.9% 73 53.3% 

Dauphin 251,798 9,941 3.9% 35,775 14.2% 91 47.6% 

Perry 43,602 1,744 4.0% 5,320 12.2% 12 34.3% 

Lebanon (HATS area) 19,325 771 4.0% 3,272 16.9% 7 63.6% 

Total 528,399 21,645 4.1% 76,151 14.4% 183 48.9% 


According to the US Census figures, Pennsylvania has the second highest percentage of elderly 

persons (age 65 and above) in the US (15.6%), with only Florida having a higher percentage (17.6%). 

The elderly population in the HATS region is around 15%, which is similar to the populations in each 

of the counties, but slightly lower than Pennsylvania overall. The population is evenly dispersed 

throughout the region, with significant portions of the rural areas (including Western Cumberland, 

Perry, and Northern Dauphin County areas) having elderly populations greater than the regional 

average. The HATS area of Lebanon County has the highest percentage of elderly residents. 

If the trends continue, the “baby-boomer” population living in the region can be expected to remain 

here as they age. As the “baby-boomer” population enters retirement, many will prefer to use their 

own vehicles for their transportation needs, just as they do now. However, as people age, many 

elderly, especially those above 80 years old will become more dependent on alternative forms of 

transportation. In this region, CAT, the County transportation departments, and other public 

transportation providers need to anticipate higher elderly ridership on their systems in the future. 

As the elderly population is dispersed throughout the region, not only can ridership be anticipated to 

increase, but the number of miles traveled will also increase. 


Access to all institutions of social interaction including employment locations (for those needing 

supplemental income), commercial and shopping centers, recreational facilities, entertainment 

complexes, faith-based facilities, social events, medical facilities, and other places where people gather. 

Providing transportation to senior centers, health clinics, special medical events such as flu vaccine 

programs, and other events where many seniors may be present. 

Transportation that is accessible to seniors with disabilities, those with decreased physical and mental 

stamina, and those who are on fixed incomes. 

If transportation will be required by multiple providers, the transportation should be coordinated 

sufficiently to ensure transfers are kept to a minimum of disruption to the transportation user. 

Coordinate efforts between public entities and private community organization providers such as longterm 

care, assisted living, and group home needs. 

Having transportation available during evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

Ensure that all seniors are aware of the public and private transportation options available to them, 

including free senior ridership on public transportation during non-peak hours, which is funded by the 

Pennsylvania Lottery. 

Seniors with limited or diminished mental capacity have advocates who can arrange transportation for 

them. 

14 



People with Low-Income 

Population below Poverty Level 

The US Census uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to 

determine poverty level. If a family’s total income is less than the family’s threshold, then that family 

and every individual in it is considered in poverty. The official poverty thresholds do not vary 

geographically, but they are updated annually for inflation using Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The 

official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash 

benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps). 

Poverty status is the number one indicator of disadvantage for any community. As such, multiple 

factors of poverty have been examined to add more weight to the poverty areas of concern. If a 

census block-group exceeds the regional average of persons below the poverty level, the area is given 

one disadvantage point. If the area exceeds the regional average for extreme poverty (defined as 

household below 50% of the poverty level), the block-group is given one-half disadvantage point. 

Poverty Level Status in the Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

Pop where 

Pov. Rate 

Det. 

# of 

persons 

below 

Poverty 

% 

Below 

Poverty 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

below 

Pov. Rate 

# of 

persons in 

Extreme 

Poverty 

% of 

persons in 

extreme 

poverty 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

in 

extreme 

poverty 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 199,423 13,102 6.6% 37 5,852 2.9% 42 51 37.2% 

Dauphin 245,330 23,706 9.7% 89 10,999 4.5% 79 102 53.4% 

Perry 42,926 3,286 7.7% 12 1,382 3.2% 10 15 42.9% 

Lebanon (HATS area) 19,176 716 3.7% 1 316 1.6% 1 2 18.2% 

Total 506,855 40,810 8.1% 139 18,549 3.7% 132 170 45.5% 

HATS Regional Thresholds: 

Population below Poverty Level 8.1% 

Population in Extreme Poverty (50% or below) 3.7% 

Many areas, both urban and rural, exceed the regional average for poverty. The highest poverty rates 

include much of the area in and around Harrisburg, Steelton, Middletown, much of Carlisle and 

Shippensburg, and some area in Perry and Northern Dauphin Counties. A large portion of both 

Perry and Northern Dauphin Counties are above the regional average for at least one of the poverty 

thresholds. While the higher poverty levels do tend to cluster in certain areas, those areas are much 

more widely dispersed throughout the region include large- and small-urbanized areas as well as 

much of the rural areas. 

Single Head of Household with Children 

Households with children where there is only one head of household, face many more challenges 

than the typical two adult head of household families, and are often considered low-income 

households. “Single Head of Household with Child” is defined in the 2000 Census as a person 

maintaining a household with no spouse present, and with at least one child under 18 years old who 

is a son or daughter by birth, marriage (a stepchild) or adoption residing in the home. 

As shown in the table below, the population of single female households is significantly higher than 

single male households, although there are numerous block-groups throughout the region where the 

reverse is true. 

15 



Households with Single Parent with Children under 18 in Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

Total 

Households 

Single 

Male Head 

of Hsehld 

% Single 

Male 

Head of 

Hsehld 

Single 

Female 

Head of 

Hsehld 

% Single 

Female 

Head of 

Hsehld 

% Single 

Person 

Head Of 

Hsehld 

# 

Disadv. 

Blk- 

Grps 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 86,951 1,610 1.9% 4,359 5.0% 6.9% 38 27.7% 

Dauphin 111,133 2,411 2.2% 9,138 8.2% 10.4% 99 51.8% 

Perry 18,941 501 2.6% 829 4.4% 7.0% 10 28.6% 

Lebanon (HATS area) 8,283 114 1.4% 329 4.0% 5.3% 2 18.2% 

Total 225,308 4,636 2.1% 14,655 6.5% 8.6% 149 39.8% 


Single head of households with children in the HATS region make up 8.6% of the total population. 

Higher than average areas tend to cluster around urbanized areas. Unlike the minority population, 

single households are prevalent in the smaller urbanized communities including places such as New 

Bloomfield, Newport, Marysville, Dauphin, Halifax, Elizabethville, Williamstown, Newville, the Fort 

Indiantown Gap area, and Palmyra. 


Many lower-income households may not have access to reliable personal vehicle transportation, 

therefore they rely mainly on all forms of public and private transportation organizations to support their 

traveling needs than the rest of the population. 

Many job opportunities for lower-income workers are often available in suburban regions with positions 

that frequently operate during non-prime working hours, on weekends, and most major holidays. Public 

transportation that focuses its services only to peak period transportation will prohibit lower-income 

individuals from accessing these non-standard operating hour employment positions. 

Access to all institutions of social interaction including employment locations, commercial and shopping 

centers, recreational facilities, entertainment complexes, faith-based facilities, social events, medical 

facilities, and other places where people gather. 

Providing transportation to community centers, health clinics that accept lower-income patients, special 

medical events such as flu vaccine programs, and other events. 

Transportation that is accessible to lower-income individuals with disabilities and on fixed-incomes. 

Ensure low-income individuals are aware of the public and private transportation options available to 

them, including information on who to travel throughout the region on public transit, special discounts for 

young children, students, and seniors, and information on how to use public transit in general. 

For single-head-of-household families (and for many low-income married households also), getting their 

children to day-care or school is also an important issues. Parents may have to get off the bus to walk 

their children to day-care, and then need another bus that has sufficient frequency of service to get 

them to work, and reverse the process on the way home. 

Large warehouses and industrial complexes often have need of many workers. Employment shuttles 

can pick up many people living in lower-income neighborhoods and transport them to these employment 

locations for each operating shift. 

Public and Private transit operators need to work together to identify more ways to get people to work 

on time and ensure there is transit both too and from work. 

Public transit in rural areas is especially problematic as there are insufficient population densities to 

make fixed-route bus service viable, therefore, individuals must have access to personal vehicles, 

transportation from family and friends, or Share-A-Ride services. 

16 



Many of the programs that provide discounted Share-A-Ride transportation are geared more towards 

seniors, the disabled, and those who need medical transportation, and undiscounted Share-A-Ride 

service can be costly, especially for those with low-income. 

The census data shows a high percentage of single-head-of-household families in rural boroughs. 

While public transit may not be warranted in these smaller communities, ensuring there are sufficient 

walkable and bikeable pathways throughout the community help individuals to get to and from 

employment and commercial locations. 

Households with no Vehicle Access 

Households with no access to private vehicles present a special transportation challenge. These 

households are especially dependent on other forms of transportation, such as public transportation 

and car/van-pooling. 

In the HATS service area, alternate forms of transportation are provided by CAT, the County Share- 

A-Ride programs, and other private transportation providers such as Capitol, Fullington, and 

Susquehanna Trailways, Greyhound, and Amtrak. Commuter Services of South Central PA 

(http://www.PaCommuterServices.com) also provides car-pool matching services, which can help 

persons share transportation to and from work. The Share-A-Ride programs are the only public 

transportation systems, which serve all residents in the three-county area. In Dauphin County, the 

service is provided by CAT’s Share-A-Ride division which serves all of Dauphin County, and 

anywhere within ¾ of a mile from any of their fixed-route bus routes. The Cumberland County 

Transportation Department serves most Cumberland County residents, and the Perry County 

Transportation Authority serves all Perry County residents. Unless residents qualify for certain 

programs, which provide discounted paratransit fares, transportation can become quite costly, if the 

services needed are not within walking distance or if the person is disabled. This is especially difficult 

in rural areas where no other forms of public transportation are available. 

According to the US Census figures, almost 18,000 households in the HATS region have no access to 

a private vehicle, which is 8.5% of the total households. On the other side, almost 60% of the 

households in this region have two or more vehicles. Below is an assessment of vehicle availability by 

TCRPC Plan Development Section (see page II-5 for a map and the Appendix for a table of vehicle 

availability by municipality). 

Households with no Personal Vehicles in the Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

HH where 

# of Veh. 

Det. 

HseHlds 

with 0-Veh. 

% of 

Hsehlds 

w/o Veh. 

Hsehlds w/ 

0-Veh in 

Rural 

Areas 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps w/ 

0-Veh in 

Rural Areas 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

with No-Veh 

AOC 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 83,015 4,599 5.5% 853 1 27 19.7% 

Dauphin 102,670 11,743 11.4% 637 4 92 48.2% 

Perry 16,695 1,048 6.3% 766 3 8 22.9% 

Lebanon (HATS) 7,978 404 5.1% 47 0 3 27.3% 

Total 210,358 17,794 8.5% 2,303 8 130 34.8% 


17 



# of Households 

7,000 

6,000 

5,000 

4,000 

3,000 

2,000 

1,000 

0 

6,366 

Harrisburg 

30.9% 

894 

Northern 

Dauphin 

8.6% 

Households with No Vehicles by Region 

3,536 

1,772 

2,224 

7.0% 6.9% 6.7% 6.4% 

5.4% 

947 

5.2% 5.1% 4.9% 4.7% 5.0% 

603 

311 

385 

352 

404 

Northeast 

Perry 

Southwest 


Southeast 


Central 

Cumberland 

Region 

Western 


Eastern SW Lebanon Western 



# of Households with No Vehicles % of Households with No Vehicles 

The areas in the 

HATS region where 

the number of 

households with no 

vehicles are above 

the regional average 

of 8.5% tend to 

cluster around 

urbanized areas. As 

the urbanized areas 

tend to have public 

transportation 

and/or household 

service facilities 

(such as grocery 

stores, daycare, and 

pharmacies) within 

walking distances, 

this helps access 

issues for citizens. Rural areas with a larger percentage of no-vehicle households include the 

Townships of Mifflin and Lykens, and the Boroughs of Pillow, Berrysburg, and Gratz in Northern 

Dauphin, the rural areas around Duncannon and Wheatfield, in Perry County, and the southeast 

section of Southampton in Cumberland County. Households having no access to vehicles in these 

rural areas must be dependent upon others for all of their household needs, and if no one is available, 

they may have to go without. Many rural areas in this region also have a number of Amish 

households, where horse drawn carriages are often used. Highways in these areas need to 

accommodate multiple forms of transportation, including vehicles, carriages, bikers, and walkers. 

None of the rural areas identified have access to public transportation beyond the County Share-A- 

Ride systems. Most of these areas are also several miles from most commercial areas where basic 

necessities are available. 

Southeast 


35.0% 

30.0% 

25.0% 

20.0% 

15.0% 

10.0% 

0.0% 

% of Total Households 


Households with no-vehicles tend to cluster in the larger urbanized areas in the Harrisburg region where 

greater public transportation options are available. As noted above, however, there are many rural 

areas with a higher than average number of no-vehicle households that are dependant on others for 

their transportation needs. 

Many of the households without vehicles may be lower-income households where it is difficult to find 

funding to purchase a vehicle or difficult to maintain vehicles presently owned. These households face 

the same issues as any other lower-income households (see above). 

For these households, it is important to maintain alternative forms of transportation such as public and 

private transit, car-pooling options, sufficient area to allow for biking, and maintenance and 

improvements of the community’s sidewalk and pathway infrastructure. 

Other households may make a conscious decision not to own a personal vehicle. Many of rural areas in 

Central Pennsylvania have Amish and other religious-oriented communities who build communities that 

choose not to use person vehicles. Much of their transportation needs are met via horse-and-buggy 

and use of private transportation networks set up by those who work with these communities and 

provide transportation when greater distances need to be traveled. The larger community can help 

support these communities by allowing sufficient areas on local roadways to accommodate horse-andbuggy 

travel, and to provide public transportation to those who request it. 

18 



Persons need access to all institutions of social interaction including employment locations, commercial 

and shopping centers, recreational facilities, entertainment complexes, faith-based facilities, social 

events, medical facilities, and other places where people gather. 

Public education on the availability of the public and private transportation options available to them, 

including information on possible discounts on travel need to be provided. 

Public transit in rural areas is especially problematic as there are insufficient population densities to 

make fixed-route bus service viable, therefore, individuals must have access to personal vehicles, 

transportation from family and friends, or Share-A-Ride services. 

Many of the programs that provide discounted Share-A-Ride transportation are geared more towards 

seniors, the disabled, and those who need medical transportation and undiscounted Share-A-Ride 

service can be costly, especially for those with no personal vehicles. 

See “Transportation Needs by Region” for an assessment of the No-Vehicle needs by region. 

Other Areas of Concern 

Limited English Proficiency 

Households with limited English proficiency can be limited in their ability to read signs, ask for 

directions or assistance, or participate in the transportation planning process. To identify areas 

where language issues exist, households with linguistic isolation were identified. According to the US 

Census the concept of “linguistic isolation” was developed in preparation for the 1990 census in 

order to provide estimates of the numbers and characteristics of households which might need 

assistance to communicate with government and social services, for example to follow instructions 

from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the event of a disaster. “Linguistic isolation” 

is dependent on the English-speaking ability of all adults in a household. A household is linguistically 

isolated if all adults speak a language other than English and none speaks English “very well.” Adult is 

defined as age 14 or older, which identifies household members of high school age and older. 

Limited English Proficiency of Households in the Harrisburg Region (2000 Census) 

County 

Total 

Households 

Foreign 

Lang. 

Spoken 

Limited 

English HH 

% HH with 

Limited 

English 

# Disadv. 

Blk-Grps 

% Disad. 

Blk-Grps 

Cumberland 86,951 6,001 980 1.1% 47 34.3% 

Dauphin 111,133 10,633 1,962 1.8% 75 39.3% 

Perry 18,941 900 50 0.3% 1 2.9% 

Lebanon (HATS area) 8,283 467 16 0.2% 0 0.0% 

Total 225,308 18,001 3,008 1.3% 123 32.9% 


With a regional average of 1.3% of the population living in a linguistically isolated household, a 

relatively small number of households within a block-group can easily exceed the regional average. 

The region’s block-groups with higher than average language isolation are distributed throughout the 

region in both urban and rural areas. In the HATS region, these include areas in Western Perry, 

Western Cumberland, and Northeast Dauphin Counties. In an effort to reach linguistically isolated 

households, HATS works with the International Service Center to send out fliers about upcoming 

events in several languages spoken within the region and will provide translators at public events if 

requested. 

19 




The largest barrier for those who are linguistically isolated is communicating what transportation options 

are available to them. HATS works with International Services Center to provide information about 

upcoming public involvement events in several different languages, which are prominently used in the 


20 



21 



22 



23 



Transportation NEEDS by Region 

The Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) recently completed its 2007 Update of the 2030 

Regional Transportation Plan. The Plan examined the employment impacts of transportation in the 

region. (see Journey to Work in the Trends and Projections Section http://www.tcrpcpa.org/text/Hats/RTP_07_update/2TrendsProjections.pdf 

for more details). 

The Tri-County region employs almost 300,000 people, and is home to almost 260,000 workers, 

many of which are disabled, seniors, and low-income residents. The following section assesses the 

state of public transit in the ten regional sections of the Tri-County area. 

West Cumberland County 

In West Cumberland County, Shippensburg Borough and Shippensburg Township are the area’s 

employment and commercial center. The other municipalities serve mainly as residential 

communities. Around 90% of the residents in most of the municipalities in this area travel elsewhere 

for employment. 

Public Transportation Needs 

With a large number of people living in West Cumberland County into East and Central Cumberland 

County, expanded public transit serving all of Cumberland County could be possible. 

CAT provides express service from Shippensburg and the I-81 Newville Park-and-Ride to downtown 

Harrisburg and the Navy Depot in Mechanicsburg. In the future, service could be extended to 

Chambersburg. 

Raider Regional Transit provides bus service to the Shippensburg University and the Shopping Centers 

and residential complexes in the Shippensburg area. Currently, there is one Park-and-Ride near the 

Shippensburg University, served by RRT, and the I-81 Newville Park-and-Ride served by CAT. In the 

future, transit providers should continue to look at expanding local service, ensuring continued express 

services to Harrisburg and find ways for Shippensburg and Chambersburg transit systems to work 

together. 

With Shippensburg being separated by two counties (Cumberland and Franklin), the paratransit 

providers for both counties should work together in this area to ensure residents are properly served. 

Vehicle Availability 

West Cumberland County: West Cumberland County is the most rural part of Cumberland County and 

has the lowest percentage of no-vehicle households in the County. Shippensburg is the only urban 

area, with many of its services within walking distance, and is served by a CAT express bus service to 

Harrisburg and the Raider Regional Transit system, which serves Shippensburg and the University. 

Cooke Township has a relatively high percentage of households without vehicles (15.2%), but being 

such a sparsely populated area, the number of actual households needing alternative transportation is 

small, making paratransit and carpooling systems the most efficient way to serve this area adequately. 

Central Cumberland County 

Carlisle Borough, the Cumberland County seat, is the major employment center for Central 

Cumberland County. Carlisle Borough is the largest employment center in the area, followed by 

Middlesex and Silver Spring Townships. The other communities have seen large-scale residential 

growth, with commutes towards Carlisle, the West Shore, and Harrisburg. 


Capital Area Transit (CAT) provides local and express service from Carlisle to Harrisburg. The 

Shippensburg Express routes to downtown Harrisburg and the Navy Depot also make a stop in Carlisle. 

Comments from HATS public outreach sessions and surveys have indicated a need exists to expand 

24 



public transportation, making Carlisle a hub, with expanded transit within the Borough and surrounding 

communities. 

With a significant number of Perry residents commuting into work in this area, some form of public 

transportation from Central and/or West Perry County during peak hours should be considered. 

In public outreach sessions in Cumberland County, residents have indicated that fixed-route and Share- 

A-Ride services should routinely travel to the Human Services offices for Cumberland County. 


 

Central Cumberland County: Around six percent of the households in this region have no access to a 

vehicle, which is below the regional average of 8.5%. Carlisle Borough has the highest percentage 

(around 13%) with Mount Holly Springs Borough having the second highest percentage. Throughout 

the Plan Development Sections, the boroughs, and city have a higher percentage of households without 

vehicles. With higher densities and more services, boroughs and cities tend to have more services and 

jobs within walking distances, thereby lessening the need for a private vehicle. These higher densities 

also provide higher numbers of people within reasonable distances of bus stops, making fixed-route bus 

service more cost effective. In central Cumberland County, only Carlisle is served by fixed-route bus 

service, with only a couple of stops in Carlisle, mainly providing service to downtown Harrisburg. 

East Cumberland County (also known as the West Shore) 

East Cumberland County is the largest employment center in the HATS region. With its location 

directly across the river from Harrisburg, and easy access to the Capital Beltway, this area has 

become a popular location for both employers and residents. Hampden Township has both the 

highest number of employed residents and employees in this region. Hampden Township is at the 

eastern end of the Capital Beltway, with a large employment and commercial center around US- 

11/15. The area also hosts several major shopping centers located near the Capitol Beltway. 


CAT provides many routes throughout the West Shore area, with shuttle services from Harrisburg to 

many of the larger employers in the area. 

With such a large labor force, there is likely to be a significant number of employment opportunities with 

non-standard hours that may be unavailable to many if bus routes have limited operating hours. 

CAT has opened the Lemoyne Station, similar to the Market Square Transfer Center in Harrisburg. This 

center will provide the opportunity to centralize and expand service on the West Shore. 

Public transportation providers should continue to look at better ways to serve this market. The 

Cumberland County Transportation Department serves seniors, those who need medical transportation, 

and disabled persons with paratransit services. 

Many of the Perry County Share-A-Ride trips travel to the West Shore area for employment 

opportunities and Shopping trips. There may be a need to provide regular public transit service from the 

major residential areas in Perry County to the West Shore. 


East Cumberland County: The West Shore has a relatively low percentage of households without 

access to a vehicle (5.2%). All municipalities within this region have CAT fixed-route bus service. 

Given the large population, public transportation expansion in the area could help, but this region is 

comparatively well served for those without vehicles compared to many areas. 

Harrisburg 

Harrisburg has more commuters coming into the city than any other area in the Harrisburg region. 

Harrisburg is a focal point for employment, especially for those that work for State Government 

Agencies. Most of the fixed-route public transportation travels to and from downtown Harrisburg. 

25 




 

 

 

 

 

 

The entire region’s bus and train systems serve downtown Harrisburg. Around 2,700 Perry County 

residents and 1,700 northern Dauphin County residents commute into Harrisburg for work, making 

these areas good locations to expand public transit and carpooling options. 

Hegins Valley Lines serves Halifax, Millersburg and Elizabethville each day (one inbound am / one 

outbound pm). R&J Transportation provides weekday service from Schuylkill County (one inbound am / 

one outbound pm). These are important bus routes as they provide residents in the outlaying regions 

and opportunity to work in Harrisburg, especially if the transportation options are limited. 

Fullington Trailways has one daily route from State College which serves Duncannon, Newport, and 

Millerstown (one inbound am / one outbound pm) and Susquehanna Trailways has one daily route from 

Williamsport, PA which serves Amity Hall, New Buffalo, Liverpool, and the Rt. 104 Park-and-Ride (one 

inbound, one outbound am / one inbound, one outbound pm). This is the only fixed-route transit 

available to residents in Perry County. There is a need to ensure these transit options continue to be 

available. 

CAT provides paratransit services for all Dauphin County residents, with subsidized travel for seniors, 

those needing transportation to medical facilities, and those with disabilities. 

Amtrak provides service out of the region with one inbound and outbound train daily to Altoona and 

Pittsburgh, and numerous trains each day to and from Lancaster and Philadelphia to New York City. 

The train station is located in downtown Harrisburg. With one bus capable of carrying 20 to 30 people 

and one train capable of carrying hundreds of people, public transportation provides the most efficient 

means to control area congestion. 

With gas prices not expected to decrease significantly, the area public transportation providers need to 

continue to look at ways to increase service and capacity in the coming years. 

The City of Harrisburg has a significant portion of its population that is considered lower-income. The 

advantage in the city is that almost every major roadway in the city is served by a public transit route 

and all residents have access to the Share-A-Ride system. 


 

Harrisburg: With over 30% of the households in the city of Harrisburg having no vehicles, the city itself 

far exceeds every other municipality in the region having no access to a private vehicle. The city does, 

however, have the most fixed-bus service routes in the HATS service area, with most routes going 

towards downtown and out to major service areas. Downtown Harrisburg also provides access to many 

private transportation providers such as Greyhound, three Trailways companies, Amtrak, and Hegins 

Valley Lines, at various locations throughout downtown, including the Harrisburg Transportation Center. 

Southwest Dauphin County 

Employment in the Southwest Dauphin County area rivals East Cumberland County and exceeds 

employment in the City of Harrisburg itself. The area also has numerous shopping complexes and 

commercial centers located throughout the area. 


While CAT does serve most of the area with bus routes, the majority of them travel in and out of 

Harrisburg. With a significant number of people living and working in Southwest Dauphin County, 

suburban loop service that bypasses Harrisburg may be a viable option. As our highway system has 

developed the Capital Beltway, public transit should consider such options also. 

Rabbit Transit has recently started an express bus service from York, which makes several stops 

throughout Harrisburg. The route has proved quite successful, and similar services from/to Lebanon, 

Lancaster, and other areas should be considered in the future. 

There are significant numbers of people traveling from Perry County and North Dauphin County who 

may be well served by more transportation into this region from there. It must be ensured there are 

enough park-and-ride lots throughout the area to serve both CAT customers and carpoolers. 

26 



Access to Amtrak is available in Middletown and Harrisburg, with a new Amtrak station proposed for the 

Harrisburg International Airport. 


 

Southwest Dauphin County: This area has a relatively low percentage of households with no access to 

vehicles, and most municipalities are served with fixed-route bus service to and from Harrisburg. Those 

municipalities not served by fixed-route transit, have a very low percentage of no-vehicle households 

(2% or below). At 15%, Steelton borough has the highest percentage of no-vehicle households. 

Southeast Dauphin County 

The Hershey area serves as a major residential and employment source in Southeast Dauphin 

County. Like West Cumberland County, the other municipalities in the region have a high number of 

residents and lower employment opportunities. The Hershey area also serves as a major commercial 

and entertainment center. 


For public transportation, CAT and Lebanon’s COLT service meet at the Hershey Outlets and Capitol 

Trailways has a route, which serves the Hershey area and continues to Lebanon and Reading. 

Currently there are no sites where all three providers share an area. That should change when the 

Derry Intermodal Transportation Center opens in the future. 

With the small amount of commuting to Perry County or northern Dauphin County, direct transit 

connections may not be needed, but coordinated transfer points in Harrisburg would be desirable. 

As this area continues to increase in popularity as a residential area, traffic along the roadways that 

connect to Derry Township and the Harrisburg area will continue to see increased demand. Formal 

park-and-ride lots in this area would be a benefit for both car-poolers and as possible locations for bus 

service. 

With continued influx of residential and commercial developments, SR-39 should be looked at for public 

transportation service in the future. 

Bus service from Derry Township to the Amtrak and future CORRIDORone stations in Middletown and 

Elizabethtown will also improve public transportation access to Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Philadelphia. 


Southeast Dauphin County: This area has the lowest percentage of no-vehicle households in the HATS 

region. For those households living in the Hershey area of Derry Township, there is access to a CAT 

bus route 322 from Hershey to downtown Harrisburg. Downtown Hummelstown has a Capitol Trailways 

bus stop, and COLT stops in Hershey. Other residents must rely on paratransit or some form of 

carpooling for their needs, just as in most of the region. 

North Dauphin County 

North Dauphin County is a rural area with many more residents living in the area than employees in 

the area. The major employment centers in the area are the Boroughs of Elizabethville, Gratz, 

Halifax, and Millersburg. The majority of North Dauphin County residents (5,600) both lives and 

work in the area. 


Currently public transportation needs are served by Hegins Valley Lines, which provides service to 

Elizabethville and Millersburg into Harrisburg (one morning outbound run each location, one evening 

inbound run each location). 

The CAT Share-A-Ride offices in Elizabethville provide rides from North Dauphin County to all Dauphin 

County locations. Rides traveling into Cumberland and Perry Counties can cost significantly more than 

rides within Dauphin County. A weekly shopping service into the Harrisburg area is provided. 

27 



Schuylkill County does have a fixed-route bus service to the various employment and shopping centers 

there, but currently there is no viable connections to this system, but should be considered in the future. 

While there are commuters to and from Perry and Lebanon Counties, the numbers do not warrant direct 

public transportation service, but coordinated transfer service via the Harrisburg region should be 

considered. 

For carpooling, the only public park-and-ride lot is at the intersection of SR-147 and US-22/322 by the 

Clarks Ferry Bridge, which is used by a number of people. Identifying and providing park-and-ride lots, 

especially near the area boroughs should be a goal. 


 

North Dauphin County: Outside of Harrisburg, this area has the highest percentage of households 

without access to a vehicle (8.6%). Most of the region’s boroughs have a higher percentage of 

households without vehicles (10-16%). While the boroughs do have denser population and services 

within walking distance, with so many of the boroughs being smaller in size, needed services such as 

grocery stores and medical facilities are often not within walking distance. Hegins Valley Lines does 

provide rush-hour service to Harrisburg. The CAT Share-A-Ride program also has an office in 

Elizabethville. This region should be looked at closer to see if households without vehicles are being 

adequately served. 

Southeast Perry County 

The major employment and commercial center of Southeast Perry County is the US-11/15 corridor 

from Marysville to US-22/322 by Duncannon. Compared to Dauphin and Cumberland Counties, 

employment in all of Perry County is limited. The majority of people who work in Southeast Perry 

County also live there (1,200). 


For public transit, Fullington Trailways has one daily route from State College to Harrisburg, which 

serves Duncannon, Newport, and Millerstown (one outbound am/one inbound pm). 

Susquehanna Trailways has one daily route from Harrisburg to Williamsport, PA which serves Amity 

Hall, New Buffalo, Liverpool, and the Rt. 104 Park-and-Ride (one inbound, one outbound am/one 

inbound, one outbound pm). 

Currently, no routes serve southeast Perry County to the employment and shopping centers in 

Cumberland County. 

The Perry County Transportation Department provides paratransit services for Perry County residents, 

mainly serving seniors and those who need medical transportation. Most transportation is provided from 

Perry County into Cumberland County. 

Pennsylvania recently enacted legislation to implement the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) program 

statewide. Previously Cumberland and Dauphin Counties had been participated in a PennDOT 

program but with the expansion of the program, Perry County will be participating in the program as 

well. PwD assists handicapped person to obtain transportation for jobs, shopping, and other services. 

No formal park-and-ride lots currently exist in this area and should be considered in the future. 

CAT once served Marysville with a bus route. With the implementation of the West Shore Transfer 

Center in Lemoyne, north-south bus service from there to Marysville, Duncannon, and the Newport 

park-and-ride should be considered in future expansion of regional bus services. 


Southeast Perry County: Duncannon and Marysville boroughs, both have over 10% of their households 

with no vehicles. As with other boroughs, the higher densities do allow for more services within walking 

distances. Penn is the Township with the highest no-vehicle household percentage. Being adjacent to 

Duncannon and Marysville, the no-vehicle households may be within adequate walking distances of 

services provided in the boroughs, but it is also an area to be examined. 

28 



Northeast Perry County 

Like Southeast Perry County, the major commercial corridor in Northeast Perry is US-11/15. In 

Northeast Perry County, more residents live and work in the area (1,500), than commute to other 

areas of the Tri-County region. Similar to Southeast Perry County, the majority of employed 

residents work elsewhere, although less of the labor force is exported compared to Southwest Perry 

County. 


For public transportation, the situation is similar to Southeast Perry County, being served by Fullington 

and Susquehanna Trailways and the Perry County paratransit program, with the same problems and 

benefits. 

The area has a formal park-and-ride location on US-22/322 at the Newport exit, and another one, just 

north of Perry County on US-11/15 at the Route 104 exit. These locations could also serve well as bus 

stops if CAT expanded service into Perry County. 

Many informal parking areas have developed along these highways at other exits. If informal parking 

areas are developing, this is a very good indication that many people are carpooling together, so in 

order to continue that trend, ways should be found to increase locations and services provided at these 

areas. This is true in all areas of the Tri-County region. 


Northeast Perry County: Paratransit service is the only alternative transportation most no-vehicle 

households have in Perry County. Fullington Trailways (State College to Harrisburg route) has stops in 

Millerstown and along the Newport exit on US-322. Susquehanna Trailways has bus stops along US- 

11/15, but unless people live near one of these bus stops and are going to Harrisburg, this 

transportation is not viable for most no-vehicle households. With almost 10% of the households having 

no vehicles, Oliver Township is an area that should be examined. 

West Perry County 

West Perry County is a net residential area, exporting 58% more people in the labor force, than jobs 

in the area. With 2,500 people living and working in the area, the majority of area employees come 

from the West Perry County area. 


The only public transportation in this region is the Share-A-Ride services provided by the Perry County 

Transportation Authority. 

The small population in West Perry County may not warrant fixed-route transportation to the area, but 

identifying park-and-ride locations near rural core areas like Blain, Landisburg, and near Bloomfield may 

make carpooling a more desirable option for people living in the region. 

Commuter Services of South Central Pennsylvania, of which Perry County via its membership in the 

Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS), assists people in the region to identify other carpoolers 

who live and commute to the same areas. Promotion of carpooling and Share-A-Ride services around 

Perry County should be a priority. 


West Perry County: West Perry County has the lowest percentage of no-vehicle households in Perry 

County and the highest percentage of two or more vehicle households in the entire HATS region. 

Paratransit is the only alternative form of transportation in this area. While the number of households is 

relatively small throughout the area, the area’s townships, on average, tend to have a higher percentage 

of households without vehicles than in many regions; especially with Southwest Madison Township at 

9.7% and Jackson Township at 18.5%, (Harrisburg is only municipality with a higher no-vehicle 

household average). Looking at disadvantaged areas, this area has been identified as having higher 

than average disabled population, elderly population, limited English population, and poverty levels 

greater than the regional average. The remoteness of this area, along with the lower population, make 

29 



this area more difficult to provide alternative forms of transportation, but is an issue which must be 

examined closer in the future. 

HATS Area of Lebanon County 

Around 2,000 people live and work in the HATS area of Lebanon County, many of who work in the 

Hershey area. While the Palmyra area is part of the HATS region, public transit and Share-A-Ride 

service to this area is provided by Lebanon County, therefore public transit planning for this area 

should refer to the Lebanon County Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation 

Plan. 


Public transportation in the area is provided by COLT. 

With a significant portion of commuters from Southwest and Southeast Dauphin County, improving 

connections to CAT and increasing routes in Southeast Dauphin County without having to transfer in 

and out of Harrisburg would be beneficial. 

To promote carpooling in this region, park-and-ride lots should be identified and promoted. 

Whenever possible, CAT Share-A-Ride and Lebanon County Share-A-Ride programs should find ways 

to coordinate services with each other. 


Lebanon (HATS area): This area has one of the lower than average percentage of no-vehicle 

households. The public transportation is provided by Lebanon County and COLT, with Capitol 

Trailways bus service into Harrisburg. 

Conclusion 


The HATS region is a major employment center in Pennsylvania, with Harrisburg and the areas 

surrounding the Capital Beltway (I-81, I-83, and SR-581) providing the majority of employment 

opportunities in the region. Investments in local projects encourage more development within areas 

and increasing the availability of alternative transportation such as carpooling, buses, and trains, 

provide direct relief on regional roadways. Twenty people riding a bus can mean twenty less vehicles 

commuting on the highways. Developing regional land use guidelines can also improve regional traffic 

flow by directing development, which creates high transportation volumes (such as large residential 

subdivisions, major employment centers, and commercial developments), to areas where the 

transportation infrastructure can accommodate large traffic volumes. Regional economic 

development centers throughout the region can also help by providing more employment and 

commercial opportunities locally and reduce the need for trips outside the local area for employment 

and commercial activities. 


In the HATS region, the cities and boroughs tend to have a higher percentage of households without 

vehicles. The advantage in these areas is generally there are more services available within walking 

distance and many of these places are served by public transportation (especially in the areas 

surrounding Harrisburg). While these are areas of concern and should not be ignored, households 

with no vehicle access in rural areas are also areas of concern. Paratransit services offered by each 

county may provide the only reliable source of transportation in remote areas and with the remote 

nature of rural areas and the smaller populations, providing service in remote areas can become very 

cost inefficient. 

30 



People who choose not to have their own vehicles, such as many of the Amish and Mennonite people 

living in rural areas, may account for the high percentages of no-vehicle households in the rural areas, 

but it is part of the MPO’s responsibilities to ensure the transportation needs of all its residents are 

being adequately served. We must continue to provide the existing transportation services as well as 

look at ways these services can be improved and expanded. 

31 



Section #3: Transportation GAPS 

In an ideal world, all persons would be able to obtain transportation to go wherever they wanted 

whenever they wanted. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal world. Having access to a personal vehicle 

is the closest we have to providing instant transportation but not all people have access to personal 

vehicles, either temporarily or permanently, which is why governments, public and private 

transportation, and community organizations have seen the need to fill those gaps in service. 

Unfortunately, there are still gaps in the transportation system that need to be filled. 

 

 

 

 

Support for Public Transit: Historically, most transportation funding has gone into improving highway 

and roadway infrastructure, rather than public transportation, as personal vehicle transportation is seen 

as the preferred mode. In recent years, this viewpoint has been changing and greater investments in 

public transportation have occurred, but public transit funding still lags behind highway funding at both 

the Federal and State funding levels. The largest gap in providing needed transportation services is 

providing a sustained level of public transportation funding from all sources and funding that is 

increased each year to account for inflation. 

Expanded Public Transit Options: Most public transportation costs are fixed costs that remain the same 

no matter if one person or 30 persons ride the vehicle. When 30 people ride in the vehicle, you have 30 

times as much fare income, therefore it is much more efficient to provide public transit in areas and at 

times when their is the highest ridership. If cuts in services are to occur it is logical to eliminate runs that 

are inefficient due to low use. The problem is, often these runs are during off-peak, weekend, and 

holiday periods when the majority of users may be seniors, the disabled, and those with lower-income or 

no access to personal vehicles. If these gaps are to be filled to provide service during these times, the 

users, community organizations, and local, state, and federal officials all have to work together to find 

ways to provide and fund this service. 

Coordination between all organizations who provide transportation to those they serve: Both Public and 

Non-Profit organizations who provide some transportation services for area residents fill in the gaps in 

transportation for those who need assistance. All these organizations need to work together and 

coordinate their services with each other to ensure as many persons as possible are receiving adequate 

transportation services. When these services are not coordinated, duplication and inefficient use of 

transportation resources can occur. 

o 

o 

Public transportation providers provide transportation service to all residents within a region. 

The drawback of their service is that due to the volume of requests for transportation, most trips 

must be scheduled a day or two in advance. The hours of operation are also limited, which 

makes it difficult to get transportation during evenings and weekends. 

Non-profit organizations often provide services to their clients during non-standard times and 

may have need of transportation for their clients in a time-frame which makes use of the public 

system difficult. When working in coordination with the public transportation providers, these 

organizations can fill the service gaps the public providers cannot fulfill. The major concern with 

these services is if the public transportation provider can provide a client’s trip, the public 

provider should be given priority, and ways should be identified to ensure vehicles used by 

private organizations purchased with government funds, are not sitting idle most of the time. 

o Organizations need to work together to identify ways how the concerns of both types of 

organizations can be address. The Task Force brought together to develop this plan may be 

the conduit to organize the services between public and private transportation providers. 

Easy Enrollment Applications for Share-A-Ride Services: As identified earlier in this plan, there are a 

number of different programs available to people for discounted Share-A-Ride services. Each program 

has different rules and regulations to be eligible and if persons are eligible for many programs, 

applications for each program must be filled out, duplicating much of the needed information. While the 

County Human Service providers and the Transportation Providers can work together to create a single 

form for applications, the rules and regulations for these programs are set at the State and Federal 

levels of governance and that is the level where the various agencies need to work together to 

standardize their requirements for these funding programs. 

32 



Increased Availability of Service: As noted previously, service during non-peak, evening, late-night, 

weekends, and Holidays is much less efficient as the number of people needing the service is often 

much lower than during peak hours of the weekday. Without additional funding sources, providing 

these services becomes difficult. In the short-term, residential and employment / commercial areas that 

would benefit most from such extended service need to be identified and possible local funding sources 

such as local employers should be identified, in the long-term, outreach to local, state, and federal 

officials to support the expansion of non-prime public transit should continue. 

Distribution of Service Organizations: Organizations and agencies who provide services to seniors, 

disabled persons, and persons with low-income often congregate in certain locations. There should be 

an effort to see if these services can be distributed throughout the region so transportation costs and 

time are not so high for those who live far away from the service areas. 

Emergency Evacuation Response: The organizations who provide transportation to seniors, disabled, 

and low-income persons must be involved in developing a regional Emergency Evacuation Plan. As 

many of these people may not have access to their own personal reliable transportation sources, they 

are more dependant on others being able to provide them with transportation should they need to be 

evacuated. 

Utilization of Technology: The use of technology can make the use of public transportation more 

attractive and can help the multiple transportation organizations to share and coordinate services. The 

area transportation providers should look to enhance their services with: 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

GPS Technology: GPS and data terminals on all public transportation vehicles, which can feed 

into scheduling software, ITS systems, and other informational systems. 

ITS Integration: Integrate public transportation into the regional ITS system being developed so 

that transit drivers can have instant access to highway conditions and alter their routes 

accordingly. In the long term, the Regional ITS system should look at not only identifying 

congestion on the regions Highways, but also the on-time schedules of the public transportation 

system. 

Trip Planning: Development of online trip planning services via public transportation. PennDOT 

has been looking into the feasibility of doing this at a statewide level. 

Online Scheduling: of Share-A-Ride trips for those who would like to use such services. Also 

email or phone reminders of upcoming scheduled trips. 

On-Time Information: Time until the next bus information at major bus stops. With GPS units on 

Share-A-Ride vehicles, and the right kinds of software, anticipated arrival times for individuals 

could be obtained online. 

Smartcard Technology: The use of Smartcards allows holders of smartcards to refill their fare 

cards at specialized vending machines and if set up correctly can be used on multiple 

transportation systems. 

33 



SECTION #4: PRIORITIES for Implementation 

Identification of priorities for implementation based on time, resources, and feasibility for 

implementing the specific strategies and activities identified. 

Priorities 

1. Capital Equipment Support: To continue to provide transportation services to the seniors, disabled, and 

low-income residents in the region, the capital equipment must be maintained and replaces as 

equipment ages. Without continued support from the 5310 program funds, it would become 

exceedingly difficult to continue to provide these much needed services. 

2. Public Transit Funding Support: Many public transportation providers in Pennsylvania are facing a 

financial crisis unless a continuing stable source of funding can be provided for public transit agencies 

throughout the Commonwealth. Without this funding, expanding services to fill the gaps that have been 

identified will be exceedingly difficult, and many agencies across the Commonwealth may be forced to 

cut services such as evening and weekend services that already exist if more funding does not become 

available. 

3. Education: Provide education and information to targeted groups to inform them of the transportation 

services that may be available to them. Where possible, translate this information into prominent 

languages used in the Harrisburg region. 

4. Identification of Resources: Identifying where special needs persons are living, working, and where the 

services organizations that assist them are located. This information is need to develop long range 

plans to identify where services and resources need to be located in the region. 

5. Emergency Service Planning: Identify those persons who need transportation assistance should the 

area need to be evacuated, and work with those who are developing the Emergency Response plans. 

6. Easy Enrollment Applications for Share-A-Ride Services: The Human Service organizations who 

support some transportation programs and the transportation providers should work together to develop 

an easy to use applications for transportation services. As a long-term goal, continue to advocate to the 

State Agencies to work together to develop a statewide system application that meets the requirements 

of all state agencies. 

7. Coordination of Services between Public and Private Organizations: Organizations who provide 

transportation should work together to eliminate duplications in service and inefficient use of existing 

capital equipment. 

8. New Technologies: As funds and resources become available, implement the new technology 

resources identified in the previous section. 

34 



5310 Review Application Score Sheet 

Overview 

New regulations developed by the Federal Government require each region to develop a 

long-range plan on how to ensure that all seniors, disabled persons, and persons of low-income are 

able to access public transportation to support their needs. To do this, they are requiring each 

region to develop a Transportation Plan and part of this plan should be a way to “grade” applicants 

who are applying for funds available through certain federal programs. Each year, the Harrisburg 

Area Transportation Study (HATS) region usually has a number of applicants requesting funds from 

the Federal 5310 grant program, which provides funds for equipment such as vehicles and 

communications equipment to organizations who provide transportation services to seniors, disabled 

persons, and persons with low-income. 

In the HATS region, the main transportation providers are the Official County Transportation 

Providers: CAT’s Share-A-Ride program in Dauphin County, the Cumberland County Transportation 

Department in Cumberland County, and the Perry County Transportation Authority in Perry 

County. All three of these organizations have submitted funding requests this year. Private Non- 

Profit organizations are also able to submit applications for these funds if they provide transportation 

services to their clients. 

In the past, PennDOT has reviewed each application and the County Transportation 

Providers and the area Metropolitan Planning Organization (HATS in our region) could submit 

comments to PennDOT about each application. The County Transportation Providers usually 

looked at if a private non-profit organization’s request would take away riders from their own 

County system. With the new regulations, however, a Task Force coordinated by the MPO must 

first review each of the applications and prioritize them as to their merit for funding. The Task Force 

then submits this list to PennDOT; PennDOT review each application and consider the 

recommendations of the Task Force in each region; they send their review along with the Task Force 

review to FTA, which is providing the funding grants. 

Using examples from PennDOT and other organizations a score sheet was developed to 

grade each applicants request for funding based on a number of categories. Below is a description of 

each category: 

1) Applicant Group: 

a) Each of the County's supervisors have designated CAT, Cumberland County, and Perry 

County, respectively as the main transportation providers in this region. They are 

considered the primary providers of transportation servers to all people who live in the 

County; therefore, they receive the highest number of points (Group A). 

b) For private organizations, those that provider services to two or more human service type 

programs or organizations (Group B) are making more efficient use of their vehicles and 

equipment, therefore given the second highest number of points. Human Service type 

organizations are considered organizations that provide services to disadvantaged persons 

within the community. 

c) Requests for funding that will serve only one human service type organization or program 

(Group C), are given some points if they are serving a Human Services type organization, 

which assists people within the community. 

35 



d) Funding request submitted by organizations that do not provide some type of human 

service programs or activities (Group D) are given zero points. 

2) Shared Resources: This section was added to promote the shared use of equipment and 

resources between transportation organizations. 

a) Over the past number of years, HATS has continually been concerned that funding for 

private organizations only benefits clients belonging to that organization rather than 

providing service to anyone who needs it. In order to promote the sharing of resources, 

those organizations willing to share their resources with other organizations when not in 

use are provided additional points. 

b) In the past, the County Transportation providers could provide comments if they felt an 

organizations request would take away riders from their service. As the County provider 

no longer provides direct comments to PennDOT, this second part, reducing points if the 

County Transportation Provider feels that a private organization’s request would directly 

take riders away from their own transportation system. 

3) Justification: Each applicant must put in writing a justification for why they are requesting 

funds for new equipment, such as replacement of aging vehicles, new vehicles to provide more 

service to more people, or other equipment such as communications, which will help to make 

the system more efficient. In reviewing an applicant’s request, if the justification seems logical, 

full points should be awarded for the justification. If there are some questions about the 

justification, however, fewer points can be awarded for the applicant’s request. 

4) Maintain Equipment: In the application, the applicant must show that they have sufficient 

financial and operation resources to maintain the equipment they are requesting. For many of 

the Task Force members, this is probably more of a judgment call as their knowledge may 

prohibit them from fully understanding what is being said in the application. The applicants 

can be asked to address this issue at the Task Force meeting and if it is felt they have 

sufficiently addressed this issue, be given full points. 

5) Quality of Application: If all the sections of the application are filled out, the applicant should 

get the full points, if there are sections missing and a reason given as to why the question is 

not completed, points should be taken off. 

36 



Section 5310 Application Review Score Sheet 

For the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) 

Name of Applicant: 

Review Date: 

1. Applicant Group: 

A. Is the Applicant a designated County Share-A-Ride Service 

Provider? (25 Points) 

B. Is the Applicant a Non-Profit Organization serving two or 

more Human Service related Organizations or programs? 

(15 Points) 

C. Is the Applicant a Non-Profit Organization serving one 

Human Service related Organization? (5 Points) 

D. Is the Applicant a Non-Profit Organization, which does not 

provide Human Service related activities? (0 Points) 

2. Shared Resources: 

Groups B, C, or D Applicants only: When your organizations 

vehicle(s) are not in use, are they available for use by a Group 

A organization for their use? (20 points) 

To be filled out by Group A Organizations only: Do you feel 

your organization could fulfill the transportation needs of 

people that the Group (B, C, or D) applicant is proposing to 

serve? (-20 points) 

3. Request Justification: 

Is the justification for the number of vehicles and/or 

equipment provided and is the justification appropriate? 

(20-25 points) 

4. Satisfactory Resources to Maintain Equipment 

Has the applicant has shown they have the financial and 

operational resources to maintain and service equipment? 

(20 – 25 points) 

5. Quality of Application 

Has the application has been fully completed and to the best 

of the reviewers knowledge, does the application seem 

accurate? 

(15-20 points) 

Total Score 

37 



FFY 2007 Applications for Federal Funds – Summary Sheet 

Harrisburg Region FFY 2007 5310 Application Reviews 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, FFY 2007, 5310 Application Request 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania, Inc 

Contact: Barry Claypool 

925 Linda Lane 

Camp Hill, PA 17011 

Description of Program: 

Service Description: 

UCP Central PA meets the unique transportation needs of over 400 low income non-elderly adults with 

severe mental and physical disabilities. The people that benefit from our transportation services are the 

people that are involved with our residential program, adult day training programs, or home based 

services for personal care and independent living. 

Existing Fleet Information: 

Sedans / Station Wagons 0 Vans – Less than 15 Passengers 16 

Buses – 15-25 Passengers 0 Buses – Over 25 Passengers 0 

Other Vehicles 0 Totals 16 

Projected Ridership Information: 

One-Way Passenger Trips: Share-A-Ride Contract Service Total Trips 

Total Trips: n/a n/a n/a 

Total Trips – Disabled Persons n/a n/a n/a 

Average Daily One-Way Passenger Trips n/a n/a n/a 

Application Information: 

Funding Program: 5310 Fiscal Year: 2007 Date Received: 4/6/2007 Fed ID: 23-1433882 

Application Budget: 

Funding Source: 

Budget 

Local and other Sources of Funds $17,200.00 

Federal Funds: $68,800.00 

Total Funding: $86,000.00 

Application Completeness (is the application completely filled out?) 1. Application filled out completely 

Vehicle Request Information: 

Replace or New Vehicles Requested: Replace # of Vehicles Requested: 2 

The first vehicle has over 124,000 miles on it, the second 98.000 miles. The need for repairs 

on these vehicles has steadily increased over the last several years. Both vehicles have exceeded their 

useful life average. The proposed vehicles will help maintain UCP’s capability to provide specialized 

transportation services to meet the unique needs of a growing clientele, and prolong our ability to 

continue to involve program participants in the community. 

Equipment Request #1: 


Program Shortcomings: 

UCP Central PA currently operates 12 adult day programs, for 267people, which are located 

throughout our service area. Locations include Sunbury, Carlisle (2), Lewistown, Newport, Camp Hill, 

Shippensburg, Hershey and Harrisburg (4). The adult day programs have a primary focus of community 

integration and skill development. 

38 




The program participants attend the day program only 6 hours a day. The typical day program hours 

are 9 AM-3 PM, Monday through Friday. The average day program size is 25 clients. Our annual mileage is not 

excessive compared to most applicants because the majority of the community activities are local to the 

program, and because of the small window of time each day that the individuals attend the program. However, 

the number and frequency of trips requires each of our day programs to have to have its own dedicated vehicle 

since all programs operate during the same time frame. We need to maintain enough vehicles to ensure the 

program participants at these programs can get into the community on a consistent basis. Without adequate 

vehicles, UCP staff cannot provide meaningful community integration experiences for people with mental 

retardation, which is vital for a persons learning, and assimilation into the community. 

Does request compete with the resources of the area Public Transportation Providers? 

UCP transportation services are coordinated with County Coordinators and the Public Transportation 

Authority by providing transportation services during the non-operating days and hours of these public 

transportation services. Individuals served by UCP programs, who can independently use public transportation, 

and do not need specialized assistance in transit, use the services of Cumberland County Transportation 

Department, Perry County Transportation Authority and Capitol Area Transit during the days and hours these 

services are available. The UCP transportation system is supplementary to the public transportation services 

providing services during the non-operating hours of the public services, i.e. after 6:00 PM on weekdays and 7:00 

AM to 12:00 AM on weekends. 

The UCP transportation service is designed to provide transportation to community activities for 267 

consumers with mental retardation who attend our day programs or live in our group homes. In addition the 

UCP transportation service provides transportation to 100 individuals who participate in Capital Connections, a 

collaboration between UCP and Goodwill Industries of Central Pennsylvania. In the evenings/on weekends the 

vehicles are available to staff in our community services programs which serve the unique transportation needs 

of 150 low-income individuals with severe mental and physical disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, and 

Perry counties. 

Does the applicant have the resources to maintain the existing and new equipment? 

UCP Central PA has established the necessary financial foundation to support its many programs and 

associated assets. Vehicle safety inspections are reported on a quarterly basis to the UCP Program and Services 

subcommittee of the Board of Directors. The current year budget has also included the addition of part time 

fleet maintenance support position. This position will be responsible for the on-going preventative maintenance 

activities, safety inspections, and record keeping for each one of the UCP vehicles. A regular preventative 

maintenance schedule is in place, and currently, the Maintenance Staff, Director of Adult Programs, and the 

Drivers having assigned duties to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the vehicles. When the fleet 

manager is hired, maintenance responsibilities will become a piece of their job. 

39 





Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) 


United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania, Inc 

Review Date: May 8, 2007 


B. Non-Profit - Multi Human Service Organization 15 


Justification: UCP transportation services are coordinated with County Coordinators and 

the Public Transportation Authority by providing transportation services during the nonoperating 

days and hours of these public transportation services. Individuals served by 

UCP programs, who can independently use public transportation, and do not need 

specialized assistance in transit, use the services of Cumberland County Transportation 

Department, Perry County Transportation Authority and Capitol Area Transit during the 

days and hours these services are available. The UCP transportation system is 

supplementary to the public transportation services providing services during the nonoperating 

hours of the public services, i.e. after 6:00 PM on weekdays and 7:00 AM to 

12:00 AM on weekends. 

The UCP transportation service is designed to provide transportation to community 

activities for 267 consumers with mental retardation who attend our day programs or live 

in our group homes. In addition the UCP transportation service provides transportation to 

100 individuals who participate in Capital Connections, a collaboration between UCP and 

Goodwill Industries of Central Pennsylvania. In the evenings/on weekends the vehicles 

are available to staff in our community services programs which serve the unique 

transportation needs of 150 low-income individuals with severe mental and physical 

disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties. 

Groups B, C, or D Applications: When your organizations vehicle(s) are not in use, 

are they available for use by a Group A organization for their use? (20 points) 

To be filled out by Group A Organizations only: Do you feel your organization 

could fulfill the transportation needs of people that the Group (B, C, or D) applicant 

is proposing to serve? (-20 points) 


Justification for Vehicles: The first vehicle has over 124,000 miles on it, the second 

98.000 miles. The need for repairs on these vehicles has steadily increased over the last 

several years. Both vehicles have exceeded their useful life average. The proposed 

vehicles will help maintain UCP’s capability to provide specialized transportation services 

to meet the unique needs of a growing clientele, and prolong our ability to continue to 

involve program participants in the community. 

Is the justification for the number of vehicles and/or equipment provided and is the 

justification appropriate? (20-25 points) 25 


Justification: UCP Central PA has established the necessary financial foundation to 

support its many programs and associated assets. Vehicle safety inspections are 

reported on a quarterly basis to the UCP Program and Services subcommittee of the 

Board of Directors. The current year budget has also included the addition of part time 

fleet maintenance support position. This position will be responsible for the on-going 

preventative maintenance activities, safety inspections, and record keeping for each one 

of the UCP vehicles. A regular preventative maintenance schedule is in place, and 

currently, the Maintenance Staff, Director of Adult Programs, and the Drivers having 

assigned duties to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the vehicles. When the 

fleet manager is hired, maintenance responsibilities will become a piece of their job. 

Has the applicant has shown they have the financial and operational resources to 

maintain and service equipment? (20 – 25 points) 25 


1. Application filled out completely Suggested Points: 20 

Has the application has been fully completed and to the best of the reviewers 

knowledge, does the application seem accurate? (15-20 points) 20 

40 

Total Score 85 




(Page intentionally left blank) 

41 




Capital Area Transit, FFY 2007-2008 5310 Grant Application 

Cumberland Dauphin Harrisburg Transit Authority 

Capital Area Transit (CAT) 

Contact: Lester L. Albright II 

901 N. Cameron St., P.O. Box 

Harrisburg, PA 17105 



Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Dauphin County, with offices in Harrisburg and 

Elizabethville. 







Total Trips: 190,000 15,000 205,000 

Total Trips – Disabled Persons 27,000 10,000 37,000 

Average Daily One-Way Passenger Trips 677 55 732 





Budget 







Of the 8 requested replacement vehicles, only one has not reached its useful-life milage at this 

time. This vehicle has proven to have much higher than normal maintenance costs over its life so far, 

and it will have exceeded 150,000 miles by the time it is replaced. 




The PennDOT Application for official Public Transportation providers does require this section to be 

filled out. 


CAT is the official public transportation provider 


As an official public transportation provider, the program is required to have a maintainence program 

for all its vehciles. Supporting proof of this function is available via published reports and not required in 

PennDOT's application form for public transportation providers. 

42 







Cumberland Dauphin Harrisburg Transit Authority 



A. Public Transportation Organization 25 


Justification: CAT is the official public transportation provider 







Justification for Vehicles: Of the 8 requested replacement vehicles, only one has not 

reached its useful-life milage at this time. This vehicle has proven to have much higher 

than normal maintenance costs over its life so far, and it will have exceeded 150,000 

miles by the time it is replaced. 




Justification: As an official public transportation provider, the program is required to have 

a maintainence program for all its vehciles. Supporting proof of this function is available 

via published reports and not required in PennDOT's application form for public 

transportation providers. 








43 




Perry County Transportation Authority, FFY 2007-2008, 5310 Program funding request 

Perry County 


Contact: Gary R. Eby 

208 Fickes Lane, P.O. Box 217 

Newport, PA 17074 



Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Perry County, with offices located in Newport. 







Total Trips: 31,412 20,940 52,352 

Total Trips – Disabled Persons n/a n/a n/a 






Budget 







Of the six vehicles requested, one has not reach its estimated useful life yet, but will do so 

before this application is approved. 


Telephone System, Cost $4,000 

The system that is in place was a used system when it was installed in 1998. Of the 7 phones on the 

system, 3 of them have been replaced, and two other ones are far below quality in functions at this time. They 

will drop calls on hold and have much static. Replacement phones are no longer available for the system. 




filled out. 


PCTA is the official public transportation provider 





44 












Justification: PCTA is the official public transportation provider 







Justification for Vehicles: Of the six vehicles requested, one has not reach its estimated 

useful life yet, but will do so before this application is approved. 

Justification for Phones: The system that is in place was a used system when it was 

installed in 1998. Of the 7 phones on the system, 3 of them have been replaced, and two 

other ones are far below quality in functions at this time. They will drop calls on hold and 

have much static. Replacement phones are no longer available for the system. 















45 




Cumberland County Transportation Department, FFY 2007-2008, 5310 Program funding request 

Cumberland County - Cumberland County Transportation Department 

Contact: Rose A. Cook 

310 Allen Rd. 

Carlisle, PA 17013 



Paratransit / Share-A-Ride service throughout Cumberland County, with offices located in Carlisle. 







Total Trips: 149,201 1,509 150,710 

Total Trips – Disabled Persons 11,513 0 11,513 






Budget 







Vehicle C33 has met its useful life in years but not miles. It has had extensive mechanical 

repairs performed in the last several years. Applicant documents numerous problems with this vehicle. 


8 Mobile Data Computers, Estimated Cost $4,855.00 

We currently have 23 mobile data computers. The requested 8 will finish outfitting the fleet. The 

mobile data computers have been a great benefit with regard to real time operations. We know our clients are 

on board, delivered to their appointments, etc. Mobile data computers also help with regard to safety issues. 

Drivers are not looking through pages of schedules to find client data. The data is received on the computer 

screen and the driver presses one button to receive the trip. 


Office Furniture, Estimated Cost $7,000 

The office moved to a new location. We are currently using old desks from other county departments 

that they disposed. The desks are not ergonomically compatible for computer use. The furnishings are falling 

apart as well as uncomfortable. Additionally, we anticipate the giring of additional staff for which there is no 

furnitings for. During the last PennDOT field audit, it was suggest that staff levels be increased due to the 

number of trips accomidated and clients provided service to. 



filled out. 


CCTD is the official public transportation provider 





46 







Cumberland County 





Justification: CCTD is the official public transportation provider 







Justification for Vehicles: Vehicle C33 has met its useful life in years but not miles. It has 

had extensive mechanical repairs performed in the last several years. Applicant 

documents numerous problems with this vehicle. 

Justification for Computers: We currently have 23 mobile data computers. The requested 

8 will finish outfitting the fleet. The mobile data computers have been a great benefit with 

regard to real time operations. We know our clients are on board, delivered to their 

appointments, etc. Mobile data computers also help with regard to safety issues. Drivers 

are not looking through pages of schedules to find client data. The data is received on 

the computer screen and the driver presses one button to receive the trip. 

Justification for Furniture: The office moved to a new location. We are currently using old 

desks from other county departments that they disposed. The desks are not 

ergonomically compatible for computer use. The furnishings are falling apart as well as 

uncomfortable. Additionally, we anticipate the giring of additional staff for which there is 

no furnitings for. During the last PennDOT field audit, it was suggest that staff levels be 

increased due to the number of trips accomidated and clients provided service to. 















47 




FFY 2007 5310 Grant Application Recommendations 

The HATS Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Plan Task Force, at its May 8, 

2007 meeting, voted to recommend approval of all four applications for 5310 program funding. All 

four organizations have shown that replacing their existing vehicles that are nearing the end of the 

useful life expectancy are needed to continue to provide full service to the people in this region. 

Without these needed funds, the transportation providers will be unable to provide the level of 

service to seniors, disabled, and low-income persons living in this region that they have in the past. 

In prioritizing the requests, the Task Force members felt the County Transportation providers should 

be given highest priority. The County providers provide transportation that is available to all persons 

living in the HATS region and without their services, it would be difficult for HATS to provide the 

coordinated transportation system needed to serve the people in this region. As HATS serves a 

three county area with three county transportation providers, it is felt that all three organizations 

must be given equal priority as decreased resources for one organization must be filled by the 

remaining organizations. The second tier of transportation organizations are those who provide 

multiple services to seniors, disabled, and low-income persons within the region. As their services 

are mainly oriented towards their clients and not all persons in the region, they are scored slightly 

lower on the scale. This does not, however, mean their requests are not important. They provide 

many useful services to the people in this region and they fill in many of the gaps that the County 

providers cannot fill. The Task Force feels that the continuation of UCP’s transportation activities 

fills an important role in serving the people in this region and therefore recommends they also be 

funded. 

Below is a summary of the Section 5310 Application Review Score Sheet: 

Organization: 

Score 

Group A: County Transportation Providers: 

Cumberland County Transportation Department 95 

CAT Share-A-Ride (Dauphin County) 95 

Perry County Transit Authority 95 

Group B: Non-Profit - Multi Human Service Organization 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania 85 

48 




HATS Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Task Force 

Task Force Members: 

Member Organization Position Address City Zip Phone 

Jeff Cooper United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA President/CEO 44 South 38th Street Camp Hill 17011 (717) 975-0611 

Dennis Marion Cumberland County Human Services Administrator 16 W High St, Suite 301 Carlisle 17013 (717) 240-6145 

Monica Ayer-Silvious Cumberland County Transportation Department Administrative Coord. 310 Allen Rd. Carlisle 17013 (717) 240-5499 

Rose Cook Cumberland County Transportation Department Director 310 Allen Rd. Carlisle 17013 (717) 240-6340 

Lester Albright CAT - Share-A-Ride Division Director 901 N. Cameron St, PO Box 1571 Harrisburg 17105 (717) 232-6104 

Bill Peterson Center For Community Building, Inc. President/CEO 3525 N. 6th St. Harrisburg 17110 (717) 232-9880 

Daniel E. Eisenhauer Dauphin County MH/MR Administrator 100 Chestnut Street, First Floor Harrisburg 17101 (717) 780-7049 

Service Director - 

Workforce Development 1150 Goodwill Dr, PO Box 3155 Harrisburg 17105 (717) 232-1831 

Linda E. London Goodwill Industries of Central Pennsylvania 

Dickson Brian Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Transportation Planner 112 Market St, 2nd Floor Harrisburg 17101 (717) 234-2639 

Linda Figueroa Tri-County Community Action Commission Executive Director 1514 Derry St. Harrisburg 17104 (717) 232-9757 

Stacy Moore JOIN Hands 108 W. Main St., PO Box 96 New Bloomfield 17068 (717) 582-7844 

Tony Hill JOIN Hands 445 Gantt St. Newport 17074 (717) 567-9693 

Gary Eby Perry County Transportation Association Director 208 Fickes St. Newport 17074 (877) 800-7433 

Bill McHenry New Visions, Inc. (717) 275-5765 

49 



H A T S 

Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Task Force Meeting 

Capital Area Transit 

CAT Board Room, 2 nd Floor 

Meeting # 1 

May 8, 2007 

10:00 AM 

1. Welcomes and Introductions 

Mr. Dickson welcomed everyone to the first HATS Coordinated Public Transit - Human 

Service Transportation Task Force Meeting. Members and guests present are noted on 

the attached attendance sheet. Mr. Dickson asked all present to introduce themselves. 

2. The Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation Plan Process 

Mr. Dickson provided an overview the Transportation Plan process development. 

Each year, public and private transportation organizations have been able to submit 

requests for funding through the FTA’s 5310 Program. These funds are available to 

organizations for things such as new and replacement vehicles, communications 

equipment, and other items needed to operate an organizations transportation services. 

New regulations, developed under the guidance of SAFETEA-LU, now require each 

area of the nation develop a Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service 

Transportation Plan that identifies long- and short-range strategies to provide 

transportation to seniors, disabled persons, and low-income person in the region. As 

part of this plan, each Task Force must develop a process to rank applications for 5310, 

JARC, and New Freedoms funds. In Pennsylvania, once the MPO's complete their 

Regional Plans, the plans are submitted to PennDOT for review. PennDOT then 

reviews all the applications and Area Plans and submits approved applications to FTA 

for review. 

In order to receive funds for application requests in FY 2007, each MPO needs to create 

a Task Force, develop an interim Coordinated Plan and 5310 application review, and 

submit it to PennDOT by May 31, 2007. Each MPO must then develop a full 

Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan before next years 2008 applications 

are submitted to PennDOT. The agenda for the first meeting is to approve the interim 

Coordinated Human Service Plan and to rank each application. 

Mr. Dickson, then asked the Transportation Provider Organization Representatives to 

give a brief overview of the transportation services each organization provides. 

The County Transportation providers gave a brief overview of the services they 

provide. 

Mr. Cooper from United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA said their organization 

provides transportation to their clients to go to volunteer work places, for 

entertainment, adult day care events, and other places as needed. Much of their 

transportation programs are funded through the MH/MR program. Mr. Cooper 

50 



noted that rides are scheduled through the County Share-A-Ride programs 

whenever possible, but many times clients must be to places before or after the 

County normal operating hours and in those situations, they use their own 

vehicles for transportation. 

Members of the Task Force then discussed numerous issues regarding transportation in 

the region: 

It was noted that the population continues to grow and with medical advances to 

save more people with life threatening conditions (such as premature and low 

birth weight babies), many more people are living longer, but often suffer from 

many disabilities due to their conditions, the need for transportation services 

continues to increase. 

There was discussion about the distribution of organizations that provide services 

to seniors, disabled, and low-income persons, noting that often all the service 

providers congregate in one area and those persons living in distant parts of the 

County may have to travel a long way for these services. 

While the County transportation providers have the resources to provide 

transportation to everyone in the County, they lack the ability to divert resources 

quickly if some immediate needs arise. Non-profit organizations that have 

vehicles provided with governmental funding, could be used to fill this gap. 

There was much discussion about the need for all organizations with vehicles to 

be involved with a regional Emergency Evacuation Plan. As many people 

involved in this Task Force work with disabled and low-income persons who may 

not be able to evacuate on their own, the organizations who provide 

transportation and human service resources and knowledge must become part of 

the plan. 

o Identify how organizations vehicles can be used for emergency evacuation 

events and drills. 

o Ms. Cook noted PennDOT told her that their vehicles could be used in 

emergency response drill, but the organization must be reimbursed for the 

time the vehicles were in use for the drills. 

o Is there funding available to provide vehicles for emergency evacuations? 

o It was noted that if all Group and Senior homes have vans of their own, 

they could contribute towards getting their residents evacuated. 

3. Section 5310 Application Review Score Sheet 

Mr. Dickson asked the Task Force to make a recommendation on the proposed Section 

5310 Application Review Score Sheet submitted to them. The members had numerous 

comments: 

Mr. Cooper noted that UCP provides many important services to the disabled 

community in this region and governmental funding programs provide most of 

their funding. There is a concern that if non-profit organizations are scored at a 

lower level they might not get the funding they need to continue to provide their 

services. 

It was noted that in the past, when PennDOT has reviewed the applications, the 

51 



County Transportation Organizations were given preference over other 

organizations and yet most organizations from this region that have applied in the 

past have still received funding. 

There was agreement that as part of the full plan to be developed, the Task 

Force must look at ways to see how the different organizations can work together 

to share their resources. 

There was some discussion about ranking organizations based on the volume of 

trips they perform a day. There was some concern that with this type of 

approach, Dauphin County, which has a much larger population, would get a 

much higher priority than Perry County and it was a consensus that all the 

County Providers needed to be prioritized on an equal level. 

After much discussion on the issue Ms. Figueroa motioned to approve the score 

sheet as submitted, Mr. Marion seconded, motion passed with Mr. Cooper voting 

against. 

4. Interim Human Service Transportation Plan Report 

Mr. Dickson asked for comments on the Transportation Plan. The members felt the 

report was good as an interim plan and suggested the following information be added: 

Add the need to be involved in the Emergency Response Plan for the region. 

Emphasis the need of coordination between all organizations that provide 

transportation services to the people living in the region. 

Emphasize the importance of the need to fund all requested applications to 

continue that level of transportation services that already exist. 

Mr. Dickson agreed to update the plan and Application Priority Sheet with the 

information provided by those present. Once the changes are made, a new copy will be 

sent to all the members for their review and comment. The Plan will then be sent to 

PennDOT. The HATS Board will officially review the plan for adoption at its June 

meeting. 

5. Development of Full Human Service Transportation Plan 

At the next Task Force meeting, participants will develop the major goals and projects 

needed for the full Human Service Transportation Plan. With HATS looking to do a 

major study of the CAT Public Transportation system for the region the study and plan 

can share resources and information. 

6. Other Business 

No other business was mention. 

7. Next Meeting Date 

The date of the next meeting was only broadly set to sometime in July or August 2007. 

Mr. Dickson will contact members of the Task Force as the time comes closer to set an 

exact date. 

8. Adjourn 

Meeting adjourn at 11:40 am 

Respectfully submitted by Mr. Brian Dickson 

52 



ATTENDANCE 


HST Task Force 

May 8, 2007 

Members: 

Attending 

Cumberland County 

County Transportation Provider: Rose Cook X 

Monica Ayer-Silvious X 

Human Service Representatives: Dennis Marion X 

Dauphin County 

County Transportation Provider: Lester Albright X 

Human Service Representatives: Daniel Eisenhauer X 


County Transportation Provider: Gary Eby X 

Human Service Representatives: 

HATS 

TCRPC Staff: Brian Dickson X 

Other Transportation Providers 

United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA Jeff Cooper X 

Goodwill Industries of Central Pennsylvania 

Linda E. London 

Other Organizations: 

Center for Community Building, Inc. Bill Peterson X 

Tri-County Community Action Commission Linda Figueroa X 

JOIN Hands 

Tony Hill 

JOIN Hands 

Stacy Moore 

New Visions, Inc. Bill McHenry X 

53 



Community Outreach Efforts to form Task Force 

A requirement of developing the Coordinated Public Transit – Human Service Transportation 

plan is to create a Coordinating Committee who guides the development of this plan. The 

Committee is to be made up of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human 

services providers, and participation by members of the public. In this region, each of the 

County public transportation providers has a Citizen Advisory Committees, which meet several 

times each year to review the efforts of transportation providers. These Advisory Committees 

are made up of County transportation staff members, County human service providers, and 

private citizens who use the transportation services and representatives from community 

advocacy organizations. In the development of the Task Force for our region, we did outreach 

to the members of these Advisory Boards via their Committee Meetings. Below is a 

documentation of the outreach efforts to date in developing this Task Force. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 5, 2007 – Sent letter out to the Directors of the three County Transportation 

Organizations to inform their Advisory Committee members and other contacts they 

know about the development of the Task Force and invite them to join. 

March 21, 2007 – Invited CAT Share-A-Ride Advisory Committee members at their 

quarterly meeting to join the Task Force if they are interested. 

March 22, 2007 - Invited Cumberland County Transportation Department Advisory 

Committee members at their bi-annual meeting to join the Task Force if they are 

interested. 

April 3, 2007 – Invited Perry County Transportation Authority Advisory Committee 

members at their quarterly meeting to join the Task Force if they are interested. 

March 26 – April 13, 2007 – Emailed and phone representatives from the Cumberland, 

Dauphin, and Perry County Human Services Agencies, the Tri-County Community 

Action Commission, Goodwill of Central Pennsylvania, and United Cerebral Palsy of 

Central Pennsylvania to participate in the Task Force. 

April 13, 2007 – Informed those present at the HATS Technical Committee of the 

MPO’s efforts to develop a Task Force and Plan and requested those present to join the 

task force and contact staff about any other persons that should be invited to join the 

Task Force. 

Ongoing – All Task Force members are requested to invite other contacts they may 

have to join the Task Force, and HATS staff will continue to look for others who may 

be interested. 

54 



Supporting Documentation: 

For Immediate Release 

Office of the Press Secretary 

February 24, 2004 

Executive Order: Human Service Transportation Coordination 

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of 

America, and to enhance access to transportation to improve mobility, employment opportunities, and 

access to community services for persons who are transportation-disadvantaged, it is hereby ordered as 

follows: 

Section 1. This order is issued consistent with the following findings and principles: 

(a) A strong America depends on citizens who are productive and who actively participate in the 

life of their communities. 

(b) Transportation plays a critical role in providing access to employment, medical and health 

care, education, and other community services and amenities. The importance of this role is 

underscored by the variety of transportation programs that have been created in conjunction with 

health and human service programs, and by the significant Federal investment in accessible 

public transportation systems throughout the Nation. 

(c) These transportation resources, however, are often difficult for citizens to understand and 

access, and are more costly than necessary due to inconsistent and unnecessary Federal and 

State program rules and restrictions. 

(d) A broad range of Federal program funding allows for the purchase or provision of 

transportation services and resources for persons who are transportation-disadvantaged. Yet, in 

too many communities, these services and resources are fragmented, unused, or altogether 

unavailable. 

(e) Federally assisted community transportation services should be seamless, comprehensive, 

and accessible to those who rely on them for their lives and livelihoods. For persons with mobility 

limitations related to advanced age, persons with disabilities, and persons struggling for selfsufficiency, 

transportation within and between our communities should be as available and 

affordable as possible. 

(f) The development, implementation, and maintenance of responsive, comprehensive, 

coordinated community transportation systems is essential for persons with disabilities, persons 

with low incomes, and older adults who rely on such transportation to fully participate in their 

communities. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

(a) As used in this order, the term "agency" means an executive department or agency of the 

Federal Government. 

Appendix 1-1 



(b) For the purposes of this order, persons who are transportation-disadvantaged are persons 

who qualify for Federally conducted or Federally assisted transportation-related programs or 

services due to disability, income, or advanced age. 

Sec. 3. Establishment of the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. 

(a) There is hereby established, within the Department of Transportation for administrative 

purposes, the "Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility" 

("Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council" or "Council"). The membership of the 

Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council shall consist of: 

(i) the Secretaries of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, 

Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and the Interior, the 

Attorney General, and the Commissioner of Social Security; and 

(ii) such other Federal officials as the Chairperson of the Council may designate. 

(b) The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary's designee, shall serve as the Chairperson 

of the Council. The Chairperson shall convene and preside at meetings of the Council, determine 

its agenda, direct its work, and, as appropriate to particular subject matters, establish and direct 

subgroups of the Council, which shall consist exclusively of the Council's members. 

(c) A member of the Council may designate any person who is part of the member's agency and 

who is an officer appointed by the President or a full-time employee serving in a position with pay 

equal to or greater than the minimum rate payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule to perform 

functions of the Council or its subgroups on the member's behalf. 

Sec 4. Functions of the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council. The Interagency Transportation 

Coordinating Council shall: 

(a) promote interagency cooperation and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to 

minimize duplication and overlap of Federal programs and services so that transportationdisadvantaged 

persons have access to more transportation services; 

(b) facilitate access to the most appropriate, cost-effective transportation services within existing 

resources; 

(c) encourage enhanced customer access to the variety of transportation and resources 

available; 

(d) formulate and implement administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms that enhance 

transportation services at all levels; and 

(e) develop and implement a method for monitoring progress on achieving the goals of this order. 

Sec. 5. Report. In performing its functions, the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council shall 

present to me a report not later than 1 calendar year from the date of this order. The report shall: 

(a) Identify those Federal, State, Tribal and local laws, regulations, procedures, and actions that 

have proven to be most useful and appropriate in coordinating transportation services for the 

targeted populations; 

Appendix 1-2 



(b) Identify substantive and procedural requirements of transportation-related Federal laws and 

regulations that are duplicative or restrict the laws' and regulations' most efficient operation; 

(c) Describe the results achieved, on an agency and program basis, in: 

(i) simplifying access to transportation services for persons with disabilities, persons with 

low income, and older adults; 

(ii) providing the most appropriate, cost-effective transportation services within existing 

resources; and 

(iii) reducing duplication to make funds available for more services to more such persons; 

(d) Provide recommendations to simplify and coordinate applicable substantive, procedural, and 

administrative requirements; and 

(e) Provide any other recommendations that would, in the judgment of the Council, advance the 

principles set forth in section 1 of this order. 

Sec. 6. General. 

(a) Agencies shall assist the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council and provide 

information to the Council consistent with applicable law as may be necessary to carry out its 

functions. To the extent permitted by law, and as permitted by available agency resources, the 

Department of Transportation shall provide funding and administrative support for the Council. 

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the 

Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative 

proposals. 

(c) This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and is 

not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable 

at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, 

instrumentalities or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person. 

GEORGE W. BUSH 

THE WHITE HOUSE, 

February 24, 2004. 

# # # 

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PennDOT: Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plans 

Appendix 2-1 



Appendix 2-2 



Appendix 2-3 



Appendix 2-4

Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties Pennsylvania ...

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