Transportation Coordination

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Transportation in Holmes County

Introduction

Beginning October 1, 1997, in response to the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the Holmes County Board of Commissioners established a Plan of Cooperation with the Holmes County Department of Job & Family Services to implement the Ohio Works First program, bringing together all county resources including government, business, educational institutes, public and private community services, and social and religious organizations to help move county welfare recipients into the mainstream workforce.  In a larger sense, this plan represents a commitment to enable the Holmes County community to engage our citizens in activities which promote healthy, intact families by emphasizing employment, personal responsibility, and active participation in the community.

The Board of County Commissioners established a Transportation Committee, which developed a written transportation plan establishing policies regarding the transportation needs of residents striving to retain employment.  This committee began meeting in September 1997, creating a draft work plan containing an inventory of existing transportation providers, unmet transportation needs, alternative solutions, an transportation strategy, and resources required to implement this strategy.  With this as a guide, Committee members were able to identify short and long-term strategies that would help achieve the goals of reducing transportation as a barrier to citizens seeking to obtain work and improve transportation for the community as a whole.

The strategy selected involved hiring a transportation coordinator to facilitate the coordination effort between agencies to help reduce route duplication and encourage the sharing of vehicles and resources to meet the needs of agency clients.  The coordinator would identify transportation providers countywide and in adjacent counties and pinpoint gaps in service, help clients develop personal vehicle ownership options, explore the potential for central dispatching and improvement of driver training.

The plan called for committee members and the transportation coordinator to work with agencies interested in expanding coordination efforts.

The Holmes County Transportation Department began operation coordinating, scheduling and providing transportation on April 13, 2000.  During the first few months, its business doubled each month.  By December 31, 2000, the Department arranged or provided over 3,100 passenger trips.  During the first quarter of 2001, 39 passengers were provided regular transportation to and from work.  Eleven new passengers took advantage of the services, assuring that the transportation needs of the workers and their employers are being met.  In keeping with the goals of the plan, the ten individuals who left the program became completely self-reliant for their own transportation.

Trips were scheduled between the hours of 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. with weekend and holiday services for transportation to and from work.

In 2000, the Department worked with 25 agencies to coordinate transportation.  The Department in the beginning stages was funded by a "Coordination Grant" from the Ohio Department of Transportation, a Prevention-Retention-Contingency Grant and maintenance funds from the Holmes County Department of Job and Family Services, a grant from the Kno-Ho-Co Community Action Agency, the Holmes County Family and Children First Council and the Board of County Commissioners.

Currently, the Holmes County Transportation Coordination Program will schedule over 20,000 passenger trips in Holmes County and surrounding counties, including trips to larger cities as needed.  The hours have changed a little to meet client needs.

This program serves an area determined by the geographical boundaries of Holmes County, as well as providing coordination of transportation services to Holmes County residents who require transportation to neighboring counties for the purposes of employment activities, necessary medical care and other social services.

Participating Agencies

Funding Provided By:

Reservations

Trip requests are accepted between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on weekdays.  Trip requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance.  To arrange a ride, contact Holmes County Coordination Dispatch Service at (330) 674-2000.  Furnish your name, the time of your desired arrival, the place which you wish to be picked up, the exact address of your destination, the approximate time of your return trip, and whether you will require special assistance.

Pickups

Passengers should be ready at their scheduled pickup time to avoid delays for other passengers.  Passengers must be ready to be picked up fifteen (15) minutes before and after their scheduled pickup time.  Passengers should wait where they can observe the vehicle's arrival and be seen by the driver.

Cancellations

Trips may be cancelled any time by contacting the dispatch office at (330) 674-2000.

Vehicles

Holmes County Transportation Coordination provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles.  The service is designed to accommodate persons who use canes, walkers, crutches, guide dogs, or other mobility aids.  The lifts and tie-downs accommodate most all commonly-utilized wheelchair models.  Please contact the Holmes County Transportation Coordination Dispatch Office to see if your wheelchair can be transported safely.  All vehicles are provided with seat belts, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment, Holmes County Transportation Coordination is not responsible for lost, damages or stolen articles.

Assistance

Curb-to-curb transportation means that Holmes County Transportation Coordination drivers will provide assistance from the curb in front of the trip destination.  This means that the driver will assist the rider when boarding and alighting from the vehicle and will watch to make sure the passenger is safely within their destination before leaving.  The driver will tie down wheelchairs, secure packages, and assist with seatbelts.  Seat belts must be worn at all times when riding in Holmes County Transportation Coordination vehicles.  If passengers require a mobility-assistance attendant, the Holmes County Transportation Coordination Dispatch Office must be notified that an attendant will be arriving with a passenger.  Children aged 12 and under must be accompanies by an adult in order to ride on a Holmes County Transportation Coordination vehicle.  Infants and children under four (4) years old or weighing less than 40 pounds must be secured in an infant car seat. These seats are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.