JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – September 22, 2016 – The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has been awarded a $399,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The grant is part of the FTA’s Rides to Wellness Initiative, which emphasizes public transportation as a strategy for people to access non-emergency healthcare, resulting in fewer hospital visits, lower costs, and better health overall.
The proposed project includes developing an interface between the medical system’s software and JTA’s TransPortal, the One Call/One Click Transportation Resource Center. TransPortal helps citizens in Northeast Florida find the best transportation options for their unique trip needs. It was launched two years ago in 13 counties by JTA and the Northeast Florida Mobility Coalition.
With one click, the interface will provide the appointment scheduler with public transit travel times and costs that best fit each of the available appointments. The scheduler can then select the best appointment time for the patient and provide them with travel information to the facility verbally or via email or text.
“This program will help open the lines of communication between medical staff and transportation providers,” said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. “We all must work together to find solutions to improve access to medical resources in Northeast Florida, especially for our low-income, elderly and disabled customers.”
The JTA will work with UF Health to develop Northeast Florida’s project plan. UF Health has three medical campuses and more than 80 primary and specialty care practices throughout Northeast Florida and South Georgia.
“We are very excited to work with JTA to implement this initiative,” said Rita James, Vice President of ambulatory care services for UF Health practices. “We believe this will provide patients greater access to high-quality health care by some of the region’s top physicians.”
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent agency of the State of Florida governed by a seven-member board of directors and led by CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. JTA operates Jacksonville’s public bus service, ferry service, downtown automated Skyway and paratransit service. The Authority also plans, designs and builds roads and bridges.
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