The purpose of the Coordinated Plan is to create a plan to improve regional transit for individuals that are elderly, disabled, and/or low-income. This is accomplished through identifying where the transit system can better meet these individual’s needs, and then identifying projects and strategies which will help alleviate these shortcomings. The plan also includes a current list of transit services that serve the elderly, disabled, and low-income populations.

The projects and strategies identified in this plan are made eligible for federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 grant program. In the past, this funding source has been used by transit agencies to replace or purchase new paratransit vehicles, as well as for operating expenses.

The Draft 2022 Coordinated Plan is composed of four main chapters, each of which are summarized briefly below.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The introduction provides background on the purpose of the plan, an overview of the federal legislation regarding the requirements of the plan and associated funding sources.

Chapter 2: Transportation Service Providers

This section provides a summary of available public, private and non-profit transportation services throughout the region and within each county.

Chapter 3: Transportation Needs

This section defines transportation disadvantaged people and special needs transportation. This section also examines and lists demographic and economic factors relating to transportation in the region.

Chapter 4: Unmet Needs Assessment

This chapter lists the identified unmet needs for the elderly, disabled, and low income in the tri-county area. Identification of these needs came largely from outreach with stakeholders throughout the region gathered by AMBAG and Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) staff.

COORDINATION:

The development of the Draft 2022 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan has been coordinated with Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST), the Council of San Benito County Governments (SBtCOG), the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC),the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO), the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), local non-profits and elderly and disability advocates, as well as the Planning Directors Forum which includes the local jurisdictions and other transportation partners.

NEXT STEPS:

The Draft 2022 Coordinated Plan will be presented at various meetings throughout the region, including the RTPA’s Technical Advisory Committees and other transportation related committees. The Draft 2022 Coordinated Plan is available on the AMBAG website at the link below. The public comment period will close on October 17, 2022. All comments should be sent to Miranda Taylor, AMBAG, 24580 Silver Cloud Court, Monterey, CA 93940 or via email at mtaylor@ambag.org. Staff will incorporate comments received into the Final 2022 Coordinated Plan which is scheduled to be approved by the AMBAG Board of Directors at its November 9, 2022 meeting.

• September 15 - October 17, 2022: 30-Day Public Comment Period
• September 22, 2022: SCCRTC Interagency Technical Advisory Committee
• September 28, 2022: MST Mobility Advisory Committee
• October 6, 2022: TAMC Technical Advisory Committee
• October 6, 2022: SBtCOG Technical Advisory Committee
• October 11, 2022: SCCRTC Elderly & Disabled Technical Advisory Committee
• October 2022: Prepare the Final 2022 Coordinated Plan
• November 9, 2022: AMBAG Board of Directors will be asked to adopt the Final 2022 Coordinated Plan