The Paratransit and Contracting Industry

In the United States, there are approximately 2,100 contract service fleets that operate 26,000 vehicles. These companies employ 71,000 people and provide mobility for 150 million passengers annually.*

TLPA's Paratransit & Contracting Division

In 2010, Paratransit & Contracting Division members will see publication of this year's Paratransit & Contracted Services Fact Book. An array of educational and professional development forums at the Spring Conference & Expo and 92nd Annual Convention & Trade Show are planned. Also, the Paratransit and Contracting Division will continue to oversee the implementation of a cooperative agreement between the Federal Transit Administration and TLPA, Technical Assistance for Private Operator Participation in Transit Planning and Contracting Opportunities. This cooperative agreement will be used for funding to provide educational seminars, instructional articles and other web-based materials to assist private for-hire vehicle operators in understanding and becoming involved in the local collaborative transit planning processes through their local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or through their statewide planning processes. This project also will provide technical assistance (via the telephone and, if necessary, on-site) by consultants experienced in dealing with private operator issues in transit contracting. For more information call us toll free at 1-866-928-6550.

These initiatives are at the direction of the Paratransit & Contracting Steering Committee, a corps of fleet operators who volunteer to take responsibility for the division's programs and services. The 2010 committee includes:

Co-Chairs

• Tom Arrighi, A&A Metro South Transportation, Bridgewater, MA
• Terry O'Toole, Kansas City Transportation Group, Kansas City, MO
• William Rouse, L.A. Yellow Cab Co-Op, Gardena, CA

Committee Members

• Shirley Allen, Mercy Transportation, Everett, WA
• Matt Andrews, National Interstate Insurance, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Michael Bakes, Emerald Transportation, Kent, OH
• Jim Barr, TMS Management Group, West Palm Beach, FL
• Howard Berkowitz, Tropical Transportation, West Palm Beach, FL
• Larry Biggers, SCR Medical Transportation, Chicago, IL
• Nick Cambas, United Taxi, Clearwater, FL
• Sid Del Cardayre, Van Go, Inc., Richmond, VA
• Alan Groedel, Provide A Ride, Cleveland, OH
• Kenneth L. Hoggard, LogistiCare, Inc., Atlanta, GA
• Charles Johnson, Total Contract Solutions, Flower Mound, TX
• William Legare, Valley Cab Company, Woonsocket, RI
• James McLary, McLary Management, Dumfries, VA
• David Mohebbi, Regency Cab/Challenger Transportation, Gaithersburg, MD
• Stan Rakestraw, SCR Medical Transportation, Chicago, IL
• David Reid, Select Ride, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
• Anthony Renzi, County Rainbow Taxi, Pittsfield, MA
• Yahya A. Sesay, Sierra Transportation Pittsburgh, PA
• Glenda Shepard, Here 2’ There Van Service, Winston Salem, NC
• Mary Smarelli, Transit Express, Milwaukee, WI
• Jim Stenger, Total Transit, Inc., Glendale, AZ 85301
• Jo-Anne Thompson, Tommy's Taxi, Inc., Framingham, MA
• Brad Whittle, Colorado Cab Company, Denver, CO
• Bud Williams, Wheelchair Transport Service, TCSI, Largo, FL

Ex Officio Members

• Victor Dizengoff (TLPA President), Black Car Assistance Corporation, New York, NY
• Robert McBride (TLPA President-Elect), Metro Taxi, Denver, CO
• Hal Morgan (TLPA Executive Vice President), TLPA, Rockville, MD
• Alfred LaGasse (TLPA Chief Executive Officer), TLPA, Rockville, MD

* Profile compiled from Wells, 1975; Wells, 1977; Gilbert et al, 1982; Stanley and Burby, 1988; and Gilbert et al, 2002.