The 2026 periodic update of the Human Services Transportation Plan is underway. Formal review and comment on the plan will begin in late August, but we welcome your feedback as it comes together. Your insights and suggestions now help ensure that the plan released for review reflects the range of rural mobility needs of the Peninsula Region and practical strategies that can work in this region.
We want to ensure alignment between the HSTP and the funding needs of our partners working to get residents who don’t drive to their destinations reliably, efficiently, and safely. Together we can support our neighbors who need a little help in getting to and from essential services and their day-to-day activities.
CLICK HERE to go to the draft plan page. It’s a working draft. You’ll find some content placeholders. But we think the Unmet Needs and the Mobility Strategies are pretty firm. We want to know if you think otherwise. On every page you’ll find at least one “let us know” link. Use them. Shoot us questions, suggestions, corrections. Share your thoughts. Let me know if I’ve overlooked something or mischaracterized anything as I’ve consolidated issues from a variety of sources and merged some strategies to align with funding programs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
What do you think - is reliable travel a factor in rural health outcomes?
We think the answer is “yes.” But we want to hear from the people who really know - health and human services providers. Every day they serve thousands of people across the Peninsula region, many of whom are the very people our plan is concerned with: seniors, people with disabilities, and people living in poverty. They see the effects when the most vulnerable in our communities can’t reach the care and services available to them. Providers, we want your insights! Please take our QUICK POLL by September 4th. Expand our understanding of transportation issues that keep people from receiving the care and services you offer and help us make travel better for everyone. Thank you for your help.
Consolidated Grant call for projects is open!
Did you know that the HSTP is closely tied to the Consolidated Grant program administered by WSDOT? This biennial funding program directs essential funding to projects that support rural mobility and help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with low income to access the health and human services they need.
The 2026 Call for Projects is underway!
Eligible applicants include public transit agencies, tribal transit programs, non-profit organizations, NEMT providers, and for-profit providers. Eligible projects include vehicles and capital infrastructure, operations, support programs like fuel vouchers and fare reimbursements, community based programs, mobility management, and more. Projects must be consistent with the HSTP and support one or more strategies in the plan in order to be eligible. This is a good reason to find out more about the HSTP and sign up for our distribution list, if you haven’t already.
Find out more about the Consolidated Grant program. Don’t wait! Applications are due September 9, 2026. And stay tuned for more from PRTPO on its review of Consolidated Grant applications later this year.