PA: rabbittransit First in State to Launch Veterans Transportation Project
rabbittransit becomes the first transportation provider in the state of Pennsylvania to explore a “One Click-One Call” program for Veterans.
Through a partnership with PennDOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation, rabbittransit will receive a grant to fund the pilot project that aims to connect customers, specifically veterans, service members and military families, to regional transportation options offered by a variety of transportation providers and programs.
rabbittransit will aim to leverage existing transportation information services including PA 5-1-1, PA 2-1-1, PA Commutes and PA Commuter Services to integrate with the One Click-One Call program to avoid creating redundant, fragment information sources for transportation services and options.
The pilot project, a combination of hardware and software, will be conducted in York County, which will allow for an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system interface and functionality. Kiosks will be deployed to locations identified specifically for veterans, service members and military families.
rabbittransit’s grant from PennDOT was originally awarded through the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI). The VTCLI is a discretionary grant program created in 2011 by members of the federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) and is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). In 2011, 64 projects totaling $29 million dollars were awarded and in 2012, 55 projects were funded totaling $34.6 million dollars. Many of these projects have been to create “One-Call /One-Click” services, which increase awareness and access to the transportation options available to veterans, service members and military families.
After a competitive procurement process, rabbittransit awarded a contract for the development of the One Click-One Call program to Cambridge Systematics. Based upon the success of the pilot, the intent is to expand the program and deploy statewide.