Sustainability Strategies for Rural Transportation Programs

Rural transportation programs can use multiple approaches to sustain funding, including through:

• Contributions from partner organizations (partner organizations can contribute funding, in-kind time, staff, volunteers, vehicles, or space for meetings and classes)
• Grant funding from federal agencies and programs
• Grants and contracts from local, state, or national foundations
• Fees collected for services provided
• Volunteer hours

Rural transportation programs can also leverage partnerships to support sustainability. Program planners should consider identifying partners in their community to determine if there are opportunities for collaboration. For example, some healthcare providers and health plans may provide reimbursement for transportation to and from medical appointments at doctor's offices, clinics, and outpatient facilities; pharmacies; or other healthcare-related locations.

For non-medical transportation needs, rural programs can leverage partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, rideshare services, and for-profit transportation businesses like taxi companies. For example, ITNAmerica provides information and resources, including trainings and toolkits, to help communities establish an ITNCountry Community Mobility Program. Other partners, like funders, may be willing to subsidize taxi vouchers for qualifying participants, or a community collaborative could support a vanpool to assist older adults with errands. Some organizations may be interested in supporting transportation systems that meet a particular need, like increasing access to employment. Partner organizations can also contribute funding, time, staff or volunteers, vehicles, or space for meetings and classes.

For general information on sustainability, applicable to any type of program, see the Rural Community Health Toolkit for information on Sustainability Strategies. Additional information regarding funding and sustainability is available in our other resources, including:

• Transportation to Support Rural HealthcareTopic Guide – presents funding information for rural transportation projects and systems.
• Capital Funding for Rural HealthcareTopic Guide – provides information on major equipment and infrastructure funding.
• Applying for Grants to Support Rural Health ProjectsTopic Guide – includes information and resources on grant writing.

Resources to Learn More

A How-To Manual for Building a Rural Transportation Coalition
Document
Presents best practices and examples of rural transportation communities who were awarded the Accessible Transportation Community Initiative (ATCI) grant to improve coordination and collaboration to address transportation needs. Explains the advantages of leveraging partnerships and engaging community partners to best serve the community.
Author(s): Gleason, S.
Organization(s): Easterseals, Inc.
Date: 12/2021