{"id":5587,"date":"2021-08-30T16:30:05","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T21:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mnrtap.us\/?p=5587"},"modified":"2021-08-30T16:30:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T21:30:34","slug":"connections-with-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mnrtap.us\/connections-with-community\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Connection with Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
Published on:<\/strong> August 30, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n The job of a transit operator goes beyond just \u201cdriving the bus.\u201d Transit operators are stewards of their community. Why is community connection so important in the transit industry? Many people in our communities rely on public transportation to get to their place of employment, doctors\u2019 appointments, education institution, retail shopping and other events. A lack of transportation is a barrier to receiving access to health care, particularly to individual in rural communities, senior citizens, low-income adults and families and individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n Health Care<\/strong><\/p>\n Availability of public transportation is crucial for individuals to have access to health care. Unreliable public transportation causes individuals to miss medical appointments resulting in a delay in medical care. Research has found that access to reliable transportation is directly correlated to usage of medical services, which improves overall health conditions and even reduces the overall rate of hospital stays. TCRP Research Report 223<\/a> details how crucial the partnership is between public transportation and the health care community.<\/p>\n In October 2016, the Minnesota Department of Transportation also issued a report regarding the connection between health and transportation (https:\/\/www.health.state.mn.us\/communities\/environment\/hia\/docs\/mndothiafinalreport.pdf<\/a>).<\/p>\n This report identified and analyzed four key issues:<\/p>\n The report further offers recommendations section after each of the above key issues on how to improve services.<\/p>\n Education\/Employment Access<\/strong><\/p>\n Another vital way public transportation serves its communities is by helping individuals reach their learning institution or employer. Limited transportation options contribute to higher absenteeism rates amongst many high school and college students. In many communities, the yellow school buses do not transport to high schools, which is why public transportation can be so important to high schoolers who may have no other way of getting to school. Metro Transit offers the Go-To student pass<\/a> so that high schoolers have a ride to school.<\/p>\n For many individuals, public transportation is their only way they can get to their place of employment. Therefore, transit operators play another critical role in helping individuals make sure they arrive at their places of employment on time, which in turn boosts overall economic health.<\/p>\n Older Adults<\/strong><\/p>\n Many older adults in our communities are unable to drive due to age or medical conditions and rely on public transportation for their medical appointments and retail trips. Transit operators are vital to help older adults retain their independence. TCRP Report 82<\/a> discusses best practices and customer service options to improve public transit options for older person.<\/p>\n Other Key Roles<\/strong><\/p>\n There are several other reasons why the role of public transportation is so important for communities. Public transportation helps reduce gasoline consumption and reduces the carbon footprint in the United States (http:\/\/onlinepubs.trb.org\/onlinepubs\/tcrp\/tcrp_rpt_226FactSheet1.pdf<\/a>). Public transportation contributes to economic opportunities and helps individuals save money (buying, maintaining and operating a car is often the largest expenditure for people after housing).<\/p>\n Ways to Connect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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