In summer 2009, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) completed a study that examined the benefits and potential opportunities for coordination and consolidation among Pennsylvania's Human Services Transportation providers. The goals of the effort were to increase service quality, promote efficiency and cost savings, and ensure alternative transportation options exist well into the future. The final study report can be found here.

In the spring of 2010, PennDOT solicited proposals for pilot programs for Human Services Transportation coordination and consolidation in the Commonwealth. Proposals were required to be supported by local elected officials, who were responsible for developing the anticipated goals and outcomes of the potential pilot project. PennDOT received numerous proposals, among them a proposal from the City of Hazleton, Luzerne County, and Lackawanna County that, in addition to Human Services Transportation, requested the coordination or consolidation of fixed route service. PennDOT selected and funded this coordination proposal. The project was initiated in fall 2010. The goal of this study is to identify areas where efficiencies may be achieved through consolidation of two or more of the agencies.

Public Transportation: Linking Lackawanna & Luzerne Counties is a study to identify where consolidation and coordination could produce benefits for agency customers, sponsors, and the agencies themselves.

The five systems being studied include three fixed route transit systems and two human services transportation systems. The fixed route transit systems are County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS), Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) and Hazleton Public Transit (HPT). Fixed route services are provided on a repetitive, fixed schedule basis along specific routes with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers to locations on the routes.

The human services transportation systems are Lackawanna County Coordinated Transportation (LCCT) and Luzerne/Wyoming County Transportation Department (LWCTD). Human Service Transportation (HST) provides accessible, individualized transportation. The human service transit system defines the geographic service area, days and hours of service and the fare structure. Trips are reserved in advance. Passengers must be willing to share the vehicle with other passengers. The service is open to the general public — anyone willing to pay the fare can use the service. For people who meet a certain set of requirements human service agencies pay all or a portion of the fare.

Areas to be investigated in the study include:
• Service delivery efficiency & effectiveness,
• Customer service & responsiveness,
• Financial considerations,
• Management, administration & reporting, and
• Ease of implementation.

The feasibility study is an initial step to determine the extent to which consolidation and coordination is practicable. It is advisory only - future examinations are anticipated to address more detailed aspects of a consolidation.

The study has been undertaken by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at the request of the five transportation agencies, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties, and the City of Hazleton.

More information on each of the five agencies is located on their websites:

 

Project Timeline

Fall 2010 - Conduct feasibility study consolidating transportation services

Winter 2010 - Draft feasibility report submitted for consideration

Winter 2010/Spring 2011 - Local review of study results and final report