SCHOOL BUS UTILIZATION BY COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATORS IN FLORIDA

The objectives of this research study were to assess the current use of school buses by community transportation coordinators (CTCs) in Florida and to identify the benefits of and the barriers to using school buses to provide transportation services for persons that are transportation disadvantaged. The research objectives were accomplished through a literature review, interviews with key officials at the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and the Department of Education, and surveys of community transportation coordinators. Further, CTCs that use school buses were interviewed to obtain more detailed information on the benefits, issues, and perceived and real barriers involving coordinated use of school buses.