Committee proposes $600,000 to help hire volunteer coordinators for rural demand‑response transit

Committee members discussed an appropriation of $600,000 intended to help public transit agencies hire volunteer coordinators to recruit and schedule drivers for demand‑response services, including Medicaid transport and rides for older residents.

Members said the money is intended to address a post‑COVID decline in volunteer drivers for rural demand‑response programs. A committee member cited statewide volunteer counts: about 300 volunteer drivers in February 2019, a drop during COVID to roughly 150, and a current count near 75. The member described volunteers primarily driving their own vehicles to take people to medical appointments, dialysis and other services.

The draft appropriation was originally written as a general‑fund item but was described in committee as moving to transportation‑fund money; members said they were adjusting internal budget lines to make that funding change. Staff and committee members said additional amendment language may be offered on the floor to clarify where the money comes from and program details.

Speakers noted that rural areas, including parts of the Northeast region and Franklin County, face particular transportation challenges such as reduced local dialysis availability and longer travel distances for medical care. Members said the proposal would help transit agencies hire coordinators to recruit, retain and schedule volunteer drivers and thereby restore or expand demand‑response service.

No final adoption language or formal vote on this $600,000 appropriation was recorded in the excerpt; members said the transportation committee had already voted an amendment in its committee and that conforming language would be routed into the appropriations bill.