Harnett County transit agency outlines ridership rebound, seeks MotiveCare contract

Harnett County transit staff told the Board of Commissioners that demand-response service is rebounding and outlined a proposal to contract with MotiveCare, a managed‑care nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) broker, as an additional revenue source.

HARTS leadership reported a fiscal‑year 2025 total of roughly 43,000 trips, including about 13,413 dialysis trips, a little over 28,000 in‑county trips and about 17,795 out‑of‑county medical trips. The fleet in operation is 27 vehicles; staff reported about 14 full‑time and 14 part‑time operations staff and 28 drivers. HARTS said miles driven rose from roughly 450,000 (FY23–24) to about 690,000 in FY25.

The transit presentation emphasized that many seats are funded by program dollars (for example EDTAP, Medicaid reimbursements, and the Rural Operating Assistance Program) and that filling more seats lowers cost per trip. "MotiveCare is a contract for us. That's a — that is a revenue source. Nothing more, nothing less," HARTS presenter Blevins said, summarizing the agency's view.

Nut graf: The MotiveCare proposal would allow HARTS to accept trip assignments from managed‑care NEMT brokers when capacity exists, and to return requests when it cannot serve them; the county would be reimbursed under the broker contract rate but staff said reimbursement may not cover the full cost of every trip.

In discussion, staff explained how the managed‑care broker model works: Medicaid recipients call a broker (e.g., MotiveCare or MTM); the broker solicits a vendor; public transit agencies that contract with the broker receive trip requests and have a 48‑hour window to accept or decline. If HARTS accepts, it provides service and submits documentation for reimbursement; if it cannot accept, the request becomes available to other providers. Paul, identified by staff as an outside subject‑matter participant, was present to answer technical questions.

Commissioners raised questions about funding stability, noting concerns about future reductions to RGP/ROPA and state allocations. Staff said Medicaid revenue has declined from prior years (historically near $1 million annually) to roughly $500,000 in the most recent accounting, and that a broker contract would be one of several options to diversify revenue. Staff also noted that MotiveCare participated in earlier pilots and that many initial operational problems have since been resolved.

The board did not vote on final contract approval during the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff to add the MotiveCare contract to the consent agenda for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting.

Ending: Staff said the agency will continue to pursue regional connectivity opportunities, pursue vehicle capital funding, and monitor state and federal program changes that affect operating revenue.