Cobb and Douglas County Community Services Board

The Cobb Community Services Board is getting a head start on a state-ordered unified transportation program that will one day provide door-to-door service for more than a dozen county providers under one agency.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, which provides funding to numerous state agencies for buses and other transportation needs, will soon implement a unified transportation system in each of its 13 regions. Transportation is provided for clients of community service agencies to medical facilities, shopping areas, agency offices, job sites and other destinations. Currently, 13 community service agencies within Cobb County operate transportation services for their consumers participating in 28 different programs.

While some transportation is provided through Cobb Community Transit, many are for consumers unable to use CCT or traveling outside CCT routes. CCT paratransit service covers only a portion of the area serviced by the DHR-funded agencies.

A study by Day Wilburn Associates, Inc., an Atlanta-based transportation planning and engineering firm, found that numerous programs overlapped on routes. When DHR polled agencies in Cobb County it found that there were some 300,000 trips for clients in Cobb County. The Cobb County Community Services Board provided about 85 percent of those trips. The next largest number was Cobb Senior Services which provides transportation to its five locations, a senior day center and four neighborhood centers.
"We found there were a number of vans going down the same street picking up consumers going to various program," said Lori Morson, Program Operations Manager. "At times they were even going to the same destination."

The study recommended a unified transit plan, operated by either the CSB, Senior Services or an outside third party. The cost of upgrading the capability of transportation services would be reimbursed by DHR. While DHR has yet to set a deadline for the unified plan, the Cobb CSB decided to go ahead and prepare for the change by reorganizing its 116-vehicle fleet, according to Tod Citron, executive director. "We decided to get ahead of the curve so that we would be ready for the change," he said.

With drivers wearing t-shirts with the slogan "We get you there with care," the CSB implemented its reorganized van service Oct. 15. Since then it has seen increased efficiency, greater ridership and improved service.

There are 51 vans assigned to the CSB's Unified Transportation system while the remaining ones stay at service centers for day trips, staff use and emergencies."There has been increased attendance in day treatment and more people are getting services," Ms. Morson said. Some 50 trips a day are to supported employment sites for consumers with cognitive disabilities. The routes run from morning rush hour trips to downtown Atlanta for consumers who work at a consulting firm and for some restaurant workers who end their work day near midnight. Previously friends, parents or job coaches provided the transportation."We operate 24/7 and we are a door-to-door service," Ms. Morson said. "Some of our consumers cannot walk to bus stops." Weekend routes have also been added for outings to Falcons games, movies and breakfast.

The CSB employs 38 drivers and all are certified in First Aid and CPR and trained in Crisis Intervention and Defensive Driving. Previously, drivers drove only two to three hours a day, now they drive full time. "There's always a trip to be run," Morson said.