The Paratransit Brokerage Model: Removing Barriers and Containing Costs

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to communicate an innovative approach for public transit agencies to best balance ever growing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit ridership and decreasing budgets.

Design/methodology/approach

A variety of best practices from Medical Transportation Management, Inc. (MTM)’s current paratransit brokerage operations and historical nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) operations are discussed, along with recommendations from nationally recognized organizations.

Findings

The paratransit brokerage model can help public transit agencies contain paratransit service costs and remove community barriers for passengers through the use of nondedicated vehicle fleets.

Originality/value

This chapter offers practical solutions to public transit agencies interested in exploring new paratransit management methods.

Citation

Maciá, A. (2016), "The Paratransit Brokerage Model: Removing Barriers and Containing Costs", Paratransit: Shaping the Flexible Transport Future (Transport and Sustainability, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 35-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-994120160000008003