Regional Transportation Program Awarded for 'Innovation in Transit'

RTP cited for creativity in its Access to Jobs and Medicaid Bus Pass programs

PORTLAND, Maine - Regional Transportation Program (RTP) has received the Maine Transit Association's annual "Innovation In Transit" award, which is presented each year to an agency or individual who has found the most creative ways to improve transportation services and lower costs.

RTP was cited by the Maine Transit Association (MTA) for its "Access to Jobs" program, which provides coordinated transportation for people who want to leave the welfare rolls and find work; and its "Medicaid Bus Pass" program, which gives a free bus pass to Medicaid recipients who make three or more healthcare-related trips in a given month.

"This award is particularly meaningful to RTP because it means the agency's innovative achievements have clearly been recognized by our peers across the state," said Jon B. McNulty, the executive director at RTP. "Our aim has always been to find new and innovative ways to deliver transportation services to those who need it throughout Cumberland County. It's nice to be noticed."

The award was presented to McNulty on behalf of RTP by MTA President Jim Wood at the association's annual meeting and training conference on August 31.

The MTA award marks the second time in four months that RTP has been cited for its unique achievements. In June, RTP received an award from the Cumberland County Quality Improvement Council for Mental Retardation (QIC-MR), which cited the overwhelmingly positive results of an extensive passenger survey, and the transportation agency's willingness to find and implement ways to provide quality service to its disabled passengers.

Established in 1976, RTP is a United Way agency that provides door-to-door transportation to the elderly, social service agency clients, the economically disadvantaged and persons with disabilities in Cumberland County. RTP serves more than 4,500 people countywide, providing about 1,000 rides a day to people who need to get to medical appointments, grocery shopping, work and other necessary services.

Located at 127 St. John St., RTP serves more than 26 towns in the county, including Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Westbrook, Gorham, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport, Windham, Standish, Casco, Bridgton and others.

The organization has recently launched a number of innovative programs to serve its local residents, including "Rider's Choice," which allows area residents to call one telephone number, 774-2666, and be matched to the appropriate transportation provider, including RTP buses and vans, PROP volunteer drivers, METRO buses, the South Portland Bus Service and the GPCOG's RideShare program.

RTP has also been instrumental in the Access to Jobs program to provide transportation to those transitioning from welfare to work, and the Clean Cities program by adding a propane vehicle to its fleet to help the environment. Other longtime programs of RTP's include the Senior Shopper's Express, a county-wide bus service, the ADAPT program which serves persons with disabilities in Portland, South Portland and Westbrook, and its volunteer driver program.

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