Frederick County officials and non-profit organizations coordinate discussions on forming partnerships aimed at addressing transportation challenges
In a gathering organised by United Way of Frederick County on Tuesday, community leaders discussed strategies to improve transportation access, particularly for ALICE families. John Duklewski, executive director of the Transportation Association of Maryland, attended the event and emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing these issues.
State Sen. Karen Lewis Young suggested that transportation providers should lobby their case to Maryland General Assembly committees for more funding. Duklewski agreed, highlighting that investment in public transportation supports greater economic and business growth, increased property values, and a lower carbon footprint.
Josh Bokee, chair of the county's Transportation Services Advisory Council, emphasised the importance of considering equity when working to address transportation issues. He pointed out that individuals who ride public transit can save more than $13,000 each year compared to driving.
Melissa Muntz, executive director of the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership, suggested using available resources instead of reinventing the wheel to address transportation issues. Successful partnerships, according to Duklewski, involve leveraging the unique strengths of each sector, such as nonprofits' community connections and transit agencies' existing infrastructure.
Approximately a third of all households in Frederick County fall below the ALICE threshold, earning above the federal poverty level but unable to afford basic essentials like housing, food, or healthcare. County resident Amifa Mohammed was able to purchase a car through United Way's Pathway to Transportation program.
Representatives from the county's transit services and Frederick Health are discussing a potential partnership to install covered bus stops by the hospital. This move was initiated by Frederick Health Chief Operating Officer Michael McLane, who said the hospital decided to fund the shelter after learning of the high percentage of employees who use the bus.
County transit services Deputy Director Jaime McKay mentioned the success of programs like Adopt-a-Stop and travel training. These initiatives aim to improve the accessibility and usability of public transportation for all residents.
The county's transit services are funded through federal, state, and local appropriations, with federal funds making up about half of the funding. The state will soon consider the percentage of a population in poverty and the mileage of the service area when allocating transportation funds.
The event focused on finding solutions to improve transportation access, with suggestions including expanding services into rural areas and increasing shuttle services. Other ideas discussed were lobbying for more funding and leveraging partnerships to maximise the impact of existing resources.
As the conversation continues, it is clear that a collaborative approach is key to addressing transportation access issues in Frederick County. The community, businesses, and government must work together to ensure everyone has access to reliable, affordable, and equitable transportation.
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