In May 2002, President Bush re-leased a progress report document-ing accomplishments since the NewFreedom Initiative was launched inFebruary 2001. The report also out-lines next steps that the adminis-tration will take toward meetingthe New Freedom goals.Innovative Transportation Solu-tions

Transportation is an integral partof the New Freedom Ini-tiative. New Freedom Ini-tiative policies seek totest new transportationideas and develop part-nerships to increase ac-

cess to alternate means of trans-portation. Transportation accom-plishments outlined in the progressreport include:

• The Department of Transporta-tion, through its Job Access andReverse Commute Program, hasfunded over 200 state and localgrantees in 44 states to providenew employment transportationservices for low-income per-sons, including persons with dis-abilities. This competitivegrants program funds additionaltransportation services to jobsand job training sites and ad-dresses unmet needs of personswith disabilities. Past recipientsof these funds in Louisiana in-clude the Capital Transportation

President Bush announced the NewFreedom Initiative on February 1,2001, as part of a nationwide ef-fort to remove barriers to commu-nity living for people with disabili-ties. Today, there are more than 54million Americans living with a dis-ability, representing a full 20 per-cent of the U.S. population. Almosthalf of these individuals have a se-vere disability affecting their abil-ity to see, hear, walk or performother basic functions oflife.

The New Freedom Ini-tiative is a comprehen-sive plan that repre-sents an important step in workingto ensure that all Americans havethe opportunity to learn and de-velop skills, engage in productivework, make choices about theirdaily lives and participate fully incommunity life. The Initiative'sgoals are to:

• Increase access to assistive anduniversally designed technolo-gies

• Expand educational opportuni-ties

• Promote homeownership• Integrate Americans with dis-

abilities into the workforce• Expand transportation options• Promote full access to commu-

nity life

IONSVolume 1, Issue 1 September 2002

New Freedom InitiativeProgress Report Released

Continued on page 3

Newsletter Contents

New Freedom InitiativeProgress Report ReleasedPage 1

Notes from the TopPage 2

Louisiana PublicTransportation ConferencePage 3

Reaping the Benefits of LPTAPage 4

Spotlight on CalcasieuParish Public TransportationPage 6

CalendarPage 7

LPTA ApplicationInsert

Louisiana Public Transporta-tion Conference ApplicationInsert

Page 1

Notes from the TopHello again! After a short breakwe are back in action with ournewsletter. There are many ex-citing things happening in transitand we know that you will allwant to be a part of futureevents.

A good place to get started is the14th Annual Louisiana PublicTransportation Conference at theHilton Hotel in Lafayette on Sep-tember 30th through October2nd. If you haven'tyet registered, besure and get thoseforms in soon!

We are moving for-ward with our state-wide coordination ef-forts. The Inter-agency Transporta-tion CoordinationCommittee (IATCC) has diligentlyworked to cultivate understand-ing and remove barriers thathave hindered coordination be-tween state agencies in the past.We will continue to work towardour coordination goals and wel-come your suggestions on how tobest address your needs. Our bestopportunity to reach public trans-portation goals, as directed in theGovernor's Vision 2020 Plan, is toadvance and expand transit sys-tems throughout the state. Wemust improve the mobility forLouisiana's citizens by providingfull or partial coverage in everyparish.

Our consultant, Alliance Transpor-tation Group, is currently workingon a revision to the rural trans-portation providers marketingmanual. To present the material,we have tentatively scheduled twoone-day workshops in November,one in North Louisiana and one inSouth Louisiana. As the dates arefinalized, we will send out notifi-cation. We look forward to pro-viding you with a useful addition

to your transit library.

Finally, we would liketo encourage you tosend topics or articlesfor future newslettereditions to WandaWalker. If you wouldlike to highlight yourtransit system or rec-ognize one of your

staff members, we will provide aforum to do so. Sharing of inno-vative ideas, techniques and up-lifting stories about your system,a special client, a state agency,local government official or a tran-sit friendly legislator are most wel-come. We want the transit news-letter to be an informative publi-cation that addresses issues of in-terest to you and others.

Carol CranshawPublic TransportationAdministratorLouisiana Department ofTransportation and Development

225-274-4302www.dotd.state.la.us

Carol CranshawAdministrator

ccransha@dotd.state.la.us

Donna Lavigne Assistant Administrator

dlavigne@dotd.state.la.us

Harold BeckElderly & Disabled Program

Managerhbeck@dotd.state.la.us

Emily Callender - EffersonUrban Program Manager

ecallend@dotd.state.la.us

Ann LadnerJob Access Reverse Commute

Program Manageraladner@dotd.state.la.us

Darlene St. RomainRural Public Transit Program

Managerdstromai@dotd.state.la.us

Wanda WalkerTraining & TechnicalAssistance Program

Managerwwalker@dotd.state.la.us

Michelle HorneRural Public Transit Program

Assistant Managermhorne@dotd..state.la.us

Diana IckesElderly & Disabled Program

Assistant Managerdickes@dotd..state.la.us

Kay RyallAssistant Program Specialist

kryall@dotd.state.la.us

Cherie DoyleOffice Coordinator

cdoyle@dotd.state.la.us

Public TransportationStaff

Page 2

Louisiana Annual PublicTransportation Conference

The Louisiana Department of Transportation andDevelopment and the Louisiana Public Transit As-sociation will hold its annual Public Transporta-tion Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana from Sep-tember 30 through October 2 at the HiltonLafayette at 1521 West Pinhook Road. For reser-vations call the Hilton at 337-235-6111.

The conference will include sessions on:

• Job Access/Reverse Commute• Elderly/Disabled Application Review• Rural Transit Application Review• Safety & Security

• USDA sponsored programs• Marketing• Coordination• Vendor panel• Insurance Issues• Funding Issues

Conference registration is $170 for LPTA mem-bers and $195 for non-members.

For additional information, contact Wanda Walker,Conference Coordinator, at 225-274-4302. Forregistration information contact Kay Ryall at 225-274-4302.

Corporation (award of $500,000 in 2000);City of Jefferson ($250,000 in 2000); Loui-siana Department of Transportation andDevelopment ($1 million in 2000); andLouisiana Ways to Work ($750,000 in 2002).

• The Department of Transportation createdan interagency working group to coordi-nate the numerous Federal programs thatfund transportation for persons with dis-abilities. The working group has produceda resource guide identifying Federal pro-grams that fund transportation for personswith disabilities. The guide also includesexamples of best practice transportationservices in getting persons with disabili-ties to work and employment support ser-vices that local officials can use in cityplanning. The document is available on theinternet at www.projectaction.org/fundguide/fundguide.htm, or by contact-ing Project ACTION at 1-800-659-6428.

• In March 2002, the Federal Transit Admin-istration and Project Action held a NationalDialogue on Accessible Transportation tofoster communication between the tran-sit industry and the disability communityin identifying accessibility issues and cre-ative, effective solutions.

Next Steps

The progress report notes that the Presidentwill seek authorization to establish the De-partment of Transportation's New Freedom Ini-tiative program and request $145 million inFY 2003 for a competitive grants program toprovide additional transportation services forjob access and a pilot program to demonstrateinnovative solutions for transportation prob-lems still faced by persons with disabilities.The President's FY 2003 budget expands thefunding for the Job Access and Reverse Com-mute program to the full authorization levelof $150 million, an increase of $50 millionsince the President took office. This programincludes job-related transportation servicesfor people with disabilities.

New Freedom InitiativeContinued from page 1

Page 3

15th ANNUAL LOUISIANA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE 2002

Lafayette, LouisianaSeptember 30 - October 2, 2002

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Please complete one form per person. You may photocopy for additional attendees. Please type or print your information clearly.Phone registration will not be accepted without faxed registration form for verification.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION : REGISTRATION AFTER 9/9/02LPTA Members ......$150.00 LPTA Members......$170.00Non-Members.........$175.00 Non-Members ........$195.00

? No refunds after September 20, 2002

REGISTRANT INFORMATION GUEST TICKETS

Please indicate which of the following function you plan to attend: Check all that apply:

? Monday Reception (9/30/02, 6:00pm-8:00pm) ? Monday Reception (9/30/02, 6:00pm-8:00pm)............$25.00

? Tuesday Luncheon (10/1/02, 11:30am-1:00pm) ? Tuesday Luncheon (10/1/02, 11:30am-1:00pm)...............$28.00

? Tuesday Dinner/Special Event (10/1/02, 5:30pm-9:00) ? Tuesday Dinner/Special Event (10/1/02, 5:30pm-9:00)...$35.00

? Wednesday Award Luncheon (10/2/02, noon-1:15pm) ? Wednesday Award Luncheon (10/2/02, noon-1:15pm)....$25.00

? Conference Registration Includes: Admission to allsessions, conference materials, two lunches, reception,dinner/special event and breaks

AMOUNT DUE FOR GUEST TICKETS $_____

Make Check Payable To: LPTA

Mail Check and Registration Form(s)* To: Please indicate the following:

LADOTD, Public Transportation Section ? Check enclosedP.O. Box 94245, Airport ? Check will follow in mailBaton Rouge, LA 70804-9245

*You may fax registration forms to (225) 274-4314. For more information contact Kay Ryall @ (225) 274-4302.

BADGE INFORMATION

Note: Please complete registrant badge information carefully to avoid incomplete/incorrect information.

Name: Title:

Agency/Company: Address:

City, State, Zip:

Telephone Number: Fax: E-mail Address:

Spouse/Guest (if attending)

Please indicate any special accommodations and/or needs.

HOTEL INFORMATIONThe conference will be held at the Hilton Lafayette, 1521 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70505. A block of sleeping rooms at a special conferencerate of $65.00 per night plus tax has been set aside on a first-come-first-serve basis only until Monday, September 9, 2002. Reservations should be made directlywith the Hilton Lafayette by calling (337) 235-6111. Be sure to ask for the “Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development” special conferencerate. After September 9 room reservations will be on a space and rate available basis only.

*other hotels in the area include: Best Western Hotel, 1801 W. Pinhook Rd, (337) 233-8120 Travelodge Hotel, 1101 W. Pinhook Road, (337) 234-7402

This page intentionally left blank.

What is LPTA?

Do you know who the LouisianaPublic Transit Association (LPTA)really is and what it does for you?LPTA is your voice and advocate fortransit in the State of Louisiana.LPTA membership is comprised oftransit providers, state and localgovernments, transit consultants,transit suppliers, and transit advo-cates. LPTA assists transit opera-tors by providing a strong, indepen-dent voice for enhanced transitservice in Louisiana. LPTA acts asan advocate on your behalf at theCapitol, represents your interestsbefore the Legislature, and en-dorses equitable funding. LPTAlinks the transit communities inLouisiana together as one voice inWashington D.C.

Benefits of LPTA

All transit providers in Louisianareap the benefits of LPTA member-ship either directly or indirectly.Urban transit systems directly re-ceive funds attained through theefforts of LPTA. However, becauserural and specialized systems donot directly receive funds, theseproviders may not recognize howLPTA benefits them.

Reaping the Benefitsof LPTA

Rural and specialized transit pro-viders receive the most significantbenefit from LPTA in the form ofnew vehicles. DOTD uses the addi-tional funds generated by LPTA topurchase new and replacementvehicles for rural and specializedproviders. Without these funds, thelevel of vehicle purchases would besignificantly lower. In the past fiveyears, the additional funding fromLPTA totaled more than $3 million,which allowed DOTD to purchase102 more vehicles for the rural andspecialized systems. Without LPTA,the purchase of those vehicleswould not have been possible, andmany systems would not have beenable to replace worn-out vehiclesor expand their service with newvehicles.

LPTA contributes up to $5,000 ev-ery year to help defray the cost ofthe annual transit conference. Thiscontribution helps DOTD to coverthe cost of qualified trainers andspeakers and keeps registrationfees lower. Better speakers resultsin better training, and lower regis-tration fees helps the conferencebe more affordable to rural andspecialized systems with limited re-sources.

Without the help of LPTA, scholar-

Benefits of LPTA forRural and Specialized

Systems

Additional vehiclepurchases

?Lower registrationfees for stateconference

Scholarships forconferences and

workshops

Legislative Alerts andUpdates

A united voice fortransit in Louisiana atstate and federal level

Page 4

ships to ALL conferences and workshops wouldbe reduced. These scholarships expand theopportunity for more transit systems to par-ticipate in conferences and workshops. Manyrural and specialized transit providers wouldnot be able to participate in these valuabletraining and networking opportunities with-out scholarship monies.

LPTA keeps its members informed with up-to-date information on legislation affectingtransit. During the Legislative Session thesealerts are updated weekly, and sometimes ona daily basis. Keeping abreast of legislativedecisions that could affect funding and op-erations is critical to the management of tran-sit systems of all sizes.

Additional funds generated by LPTA translate into vehicle purchased by the DOTD for rural and specialized sys-tems. The DOTD was able to purchase 102 additional vehicles over the past five years as a result of LPTA’s efforts.

Future of LPTA

Continued benefits resulting from LPTA’s workdepends on you. The most successful statetransit associations have a strong united lead-ership, and your membership in LPTA will con-tribute to a strong united leadership for tran-sit in Louisiana. Your membership in and sup-port of LPTA will help maintain your existinglevels of service, as well as ensure that Loui-siana transit operators have a strong presencein the State and Federal Legislatures.

Become a member of LPTA today by calling225-274-4302 or fill out and return the LPTAmembership form included in this newslet-ter.

Page 5

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONLOUISIANA PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATION

APPLICANT: Please complete the following. The information is required to accurately determinethe amount of dues to be invoiced. Upon completion, please mail to:

LOUISIANA PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATIONc/o LA DOTDP. O. BOX 94245, AirportBATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9245

Type of Membership: G Regular G Professional G Associate(See next page for a description of types of membership.)

System/Company Name Phone Number

Address

City/State/Zip Code

Primary Contact/Title Secondary Contact/Title

Service Area/Population FAX Number

# of Vehicles # of Employees # Passengers Per Year Route(s) Mileage Annual Operating Budget Funding Source

(i.e. Section 5307, 5310, 5311)

Check if you are currently a member: G Southwest Transit Association (SWTA) G American Public Transit Association (APTA)

Which state/federal legislators from your area would you be willing to contact on behalf of LPTA?

Senators: _____________________________________

_____________________________________

Representatives: _____________________________________

_____________________________________

Signature Date

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION:

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP AND DUES:

REGULAR

Consists of publicly funded transit providers operating or providing any form of organized urban and/orrural public transportation service within the State of Louisiana. This includes all Federal TransitAdministration (FTA) fund recipients operating public transportation under the Section 9, 16, and 18programs. Regular members are entitled to a vote and full LPTA privileges.

DUES: $50 minimum, plus $2.00 per transit vehicle annually

PROFESSIONAL

Persons, non-profit organizations, groups, or public agencies active in the development, promotion, oroperation of urban public transportation; municipalities or authorities contemplating the operation of atransit system; and publications dealing with public transportation matters. Professional members areentitled to LPTA privileges as prescribed by the LPTA Executive Board, but are not entitled to vote.

DUES: $75 Annually

ASSOCIATE

Vendors, consultants, manufacturers and suppliers of the public transportation industry. Associatemembers are entitled to LPTA privileges as prescribed by the LPTA Executive Board, but are notentitled to vote.

DUES: $100 Annually

Spotlight on...

The October 2001 grand opening ofCalcasieu Parish Public Transporta-tion was an event to remember.The system, operated by theCalcasieu Parish Office of Commu-nity Services (OCS), was the firstcoordinated public transportationservice addressing the needs of citi-zens through out the Parish.

The gathering at the Grand Open-ing was a who's who from CalcasieuParish with a sprinkling of stateofficials. Members from theCalcasieu Parish Police Jury and theParish Administrator were on hand,looking very much like proud par-ents at the birth of a long awaitedchild. Lake Charles’ Director ofPlanning and Economic Develop-ment Ernie Broussard was in atten-

dance. Carol Cranshaw and severalof her staff members from the Loui-siana DOTD Public TransportationSection; Toni Carraway, Director ofthe Calcasieu Council on Aging; andMonsignor DeBlanc from the Catho-lic Diocese were also at the cer-emony.

When Sandy Mason, Executive Di-rector, Calcasieu Parish OCS, tookthe podium, her eyes were moist;this was what Mason and many oth-ers had worked so hard to bringabout. By the time she had thankedeveryone for their help, several inthe audience were crying with tearsof joy.

After the speeches, the assemblywas introduced to the drivers andthe fleet. The drivers had comefrom the Calcasieu Council On Ag-ing transportation program, and thefleet had been provided by theDOTD and the Calcasieu Council OnAging. The drivers were resplen-dent in their new maroon and navyCalcasieu Parish Public Transporta-tion uniforms. The vehicles weregleaming with their new LouisianaTransit logos.

Community Support

Establishing the coordinated ruraltransportation system was a groupeffort. The Calcasieu Parish PoliceJury was the backbone of the un-dertaking providing financial, po-

Calcasieu ParishPublic TransportationSuccess in the Making

Page 6

litical and often emotionalsupport. The DOTD PublicTransportation staff pro-vided the use of their on-callconsultant, Applied Technol-ogy and Research, Co., to dothe initial feasibility study.The Public TransportationSection also spent time in-doctrinating Mason and herstaff in the protocols andforms necessary to do busi-ness in the public transpor-tation field. With assistancefrom the DOTD, theCalcasieu Council On Agingtransferred all of their ve-hicles, drivers and theirtransportation manager tothe coordinated transit ef-fort being undertaken by theOCS. The City of LakeCharles planning staff andthe Imperial Calcasieu Re-gional Planning and Devel-opment Commission staffprovided support and guid-ance on the funding issuesand pitfalls every new op-erator faces.

Calcasieu Parish PublicTransportation Today

The Calcasieu Parish systemis now approaching its firstbirthday. During start-up,the unmet rural transporta-tion needs in Calcasieu Par-ish amounted to approxi-mately 144,000 trips peryear. The system is averag-ing over 200 trips per dayand growing rapidly.

The Calcasieu Parish OCS de-livers demand-responsetransportation services Mon-day through Friday 6:00 AM

to 6:00 PM. In addition, thesystem has contract tripsthat begin at 5:45 AM anddon't usually stop untilaround midnight.

Calcasieu Parish runs ninevehicles that carry an aver-age of eight to 11 passen-gers. The Parish also has one16 passenger vehicle andtwo 15 passenger vehicles.The vehicles are all beingoutfitted with enhancedsafety essentials.

The system is fundedthrough a variety of sources.An exclusive tax is the mostrecent addition to the fund-ing sources. The CalcasieuParish Police Jury continuesto provide support. Otherfunding sources include theFederal Transit Administra-tion provided through DOTD

Public Transportation Sec-tion (80 percent federalmatch for vehicles);Calcasieu Council on Aging,Title 19 (non-emergencymedical); LA Department ofSocial Services; and Welfareto Work.

Mason has done a remark-able job of pulling togethermany diverse transportationservices and funding sourcesunder one roof. She is ex-pecting to acquire a mini-mum of five more vehiclesin the next two years and istaking steps to streamlineand expand the operation.She and the Calcasieu Par-ish Police Jury can takepride in accomplishing themonumental task of devel-oping a model coordinatedrural transportation system.

APTA Annual Meeting andExpoLas Vegas, NevadaSeptember 22-25

APTA Bus Equipment &Maintenance/Procurement &Materials ManagementWorkshopLas Vegas, NevadaSeptember 25-27

Louisiana Annual PublicTransit ConferenceLafayette, LouisianaSeptember 30 - October 2

Events Calendar

Transportation ResearchBoard Rural and IntercityConferenceHuron, OhioOctober 27-30

LaDOTD Transit MarketingWorkshopsTentative dates and locations:Baton Rouge - November 13Alexandria - November 14

SWTA Annual Conference andExpoAlbuquerque, New MexicoFebruary 9-11, 2003

Page 7

Louisiana Department of Transportation and DevelopmentPublic Transportation Section8900 Jimmy Wedell DriveP.O. Box 94245Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9245

The DOTD wants Louisiana Transitions to be an informative publicationthat addresses issues of interest to you and others.

Louisiana Transitions provides a forum for sharing innovative ideas, recog-nizing staff members, and sharing stories about individual systems, special

clients, and transit-friendly government officials.

If you have ideas for topics or articles for future editions of the newsletteror would like to brag about your system’s recent accomplishments, please

contact Wanda Walker at 225-274-4302.