The 2026 periodic update of the Human Services Transportation Plan is nearing completion. Review and comment on the draft plan is underway.
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 online. On every page you’ll find at least one “let us know” link. Use them. Shoot us questions, suggestions, corrections. Share your thoughts by September 25th. Let me know if anything has been overlooked or mischaracterized in the synthesis and consolidation of issues and alignment of strategies with funding programs. There is a companion report to the online HSTP, for those who prefer a printable pdf report format. It includes narrative from the online draft as well as some additional content required by WSDOT. You can find a copy of it here, and also on the HSTP Resources tab.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
What do you think, community-based care workers - 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 community care workers 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 11th. 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.
Do you get around our rural region without a car? We want to hear from you!
We’ve worked hard to summarize unmet needs and barriers that make travel harder than it should be for people who don’t drive. Now it’s your turn to let us know if we got it right. We want to know if we’ve missed any issues and where some information or assistance with travel planning can help. We welcome input from anyone, but especially those of you who don’t drive or those of you who help others with their mobility. Please give us five minutes to complete this poll and share your experience by September 11th. Your responses are completely secure. Your input will help us improve travel for everyone, but especially for those who don’t drive.
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. Find out how to use the HSTP to support your grant application here. And stay tuned for more from PRTPO on its review of Consolidated Grant applications later this year.