Regional Transportation Program Awarded for 'Quality Service and Cooperation'

RTP receives high marks in passenger survey on behalf of Quality Improvement Council for Mental Retardation

PORTLAND, Maine -- Regional Transportation Program (RTP) has received an award from a regional advocacy group for the quality service it provides to persons with developmental disabilities and mental retardation.

The Cumberland County Quality Improvement Council for Mental Retardation (QIC-MR) presented the award to RTP, citing the overwhelmingly positive results of an extensive passenger survey and the transportation agency's willingness to find and implement ways to provide even better service.

Jon McNulty, executive director of RTP, and Fred Kilbride, an RTP driver, accepted the award on behalf of the agency June 20 during a gathering at the regional office of the Maine Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services in Portland.

"We are honored to be recognized by a group that cares deeply, as we do, about making sure people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation receive the services they need," McNulty said. "The results of the passenger survey also are helpful since they will help us hone our transportation services."

The QIC-MR formed a subcommittee, the Service Evaluation Team (SET), comprised of consumers, providers and family members of persons with developmental disabilities and mental retardation, to evaluate transportation concerns and issues in Cumberland County. The effort included an extensive passenger survey. The Greater Portland Council of Governments analyzed the survey results and prepared a report.

The passenger survey showed a 90 percent satisfaction rate with RTP services, said Margaret Forbes, a volunteer with the QIC-MR who facilitated the evaluation process. She credited Chuck Baker, RTP's director of services, for his collaboration and openness during the thorough evaluation process.

"RTP showed a real willingness to listen to the riders and find ways to make their already outstanding service even better," Forbes said. "Transportation is so vital for people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation to allow them to be independent. They need it, and RTP delivers, paving the road to help a person obtain their destiny."

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 Street, 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 two propane vehicles 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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