The year's activities emphasized VPTA's mission in action: improving mobility and enhancing the economic well being of Vermont residents through the creative use of transportation resources.

VPTA, with the support of the Agency of Transportation and the State's Congressional Delegation was awarded a second year grant for the Federal Transit Administration's Access to Jobs Program. The grant application resulted in the award of $1.2 Million in Federal funds and will continue the work begun in 1999 to make public transportation available for job seekers in a variety of locations around the state. The grant will be matched by a similar amount in funds from a variety of Federal Human Service programs including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The Access to Jobs program has been helping more people succeed in the workforce and expanded service routes and hours of operation help employers access a larger pool of workers.

The Public Transit Advisory Council begun in 1998 produced a report prepared by the highly regarded transportation-consulting firm, KFH Associates of Bethesda, Maryland. The report not only reviewed the current status of public transportation in Vermont, but made substantive recommendations for expanded funding, accelerated capital replacement, connections with Air, Rail and Interstate bus transportation, increased coordination among human service programs and public transit, and the creation of a formal "Public Transit Advisory Council."

The following are among the more significant recommendations contained in the report:

1. Protect current services and funding levels, yet recognize effective transit systems through the funding allocation process.
2. Expand services and funding levels to meet baseline mobility needs to ensure all residents have similar access to transit.
3. Fund "New Starts" under a separate process - create an "Incubator" program which encourages systems to be innovative and creative in their approach.
4. Expand transit services as a tool to support tourism and economic development.

Formalized in legislation effective July 1, 2000, the work of the Council has placed transit in a position comparable to other non-highway modes and recognizes the important role that public transit will play in the development of the multi-modal transportation future.

The Council's first objective is to craft a new funding formula that addresses community needs and considers the valuable policy guidance contained in the Public Transit Plan.

VPTA's Training programs during this fiscal year focused on operational efficiency, improved financial management, and organizational development. Details of the Rural Transit Assistance Program can be found on the Member Services page.

The Vermont Rideshare Program has entered the electronic age - carpool information and registrations are now available on the worldwide web. Development of a consistent statewide database is underway. The objective is to streamline and simplify both the sharing and reporting of carpool information between the eleven Rideshare Programs administered locally and the State Agency of Transportation. Beta site testing of the system is slated for the fall of 2000.

VPTA's members and staff are working hard to make excellent public transit services available to residents and visitors to our beautiful state.