Rural communities

According to the Community Transportation Association of America, 38 percent of rural residents have no access to public transit service and 28 percent have only limited service. Suburban sprawl, coupled with limited transit capacity in rural areas, creates a mismatch between demand for transportation and the services provided.

In a survey of aging-related services conducted by the Texas Department on Aging (now the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services), six state agencies reported ten different transportation programs available to older Texans. Most of the programs identified either a geographical gap or insufficient service levels. In addition to survey responses, many stakeholders in the Health and Human Services Commission strategic planning process indicated that gaps and lack of coordination of transportation services pose major barriers to improving the lives of older people.

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Updated: October 21, 2009