Minnesota Council on Transportation Access Newsletter
MCOTA's email newsletter provides updates about its initiatives to interested stakeholders and to the public. Subscribe to the newsletter.
July 2023

- Transportation providers look to lessen impact of rising vehicle costs and decreased availability
- NWRTCC collaborations help lay foundation for funding potential volunteer driver program
- Coordination vital in filling local transportation access gaps
- New state laws improve transportation access
- In the news
April 2023

- Updated MCOTA volunteer driver brochure
- New volunteer driver program resources web page
- Roundtable discussion focuses on vehicle shortage challenges and possible solutions
- Dakota County TCAP encourages riders through 'travel training'
- Driver's licenses for all becomes law
- Mobile app to make travel easier in Greater Minnesota, Rochester, Mankato
- In the news
March 2023

- Feb. 16 MCOTA volunteer driver program virtual forum recording available
- Arrowhead RTCC facilitates vehicle-sharing among community agencies to expand capacity and resources
- Dakota County and Washington County TCAPs update: Lyft ride-sharing program frees riders
- Metro Transit micro expands access through a new on-demand service option
- In the news
October 2022
- MCOTA volunteer drivers virtual forum set for October 6
- Region 5 RTCC grant targets more livable community through better access for all
- Mid-Minnesota RTCC expands volunteer driver recruitment strategies
- Prairie Five receives grant to serve area veterans with a wheelchair-accessible van
- U of M research: Could remote drivers be the future of ride-hailing?
- In the news
June 2022

- MCOTA members endorse federal mileage reimbursement legislation
- Autonomous vehicles could lessen social inequity in transportation systems -- or make it worse
- In the news
March 2022

- Spotlight on TNC partnerships in Minnesota
- Arrowhead RTCC: Bringing stakeholders together to share and respond
- Northwest RTCC: Understanding barriers
- Adding autonomous vehicles to ride-hailing fleets could benefit platforms and drivers
- In the news
February 2022

- 2021 MCOTA Annual Report published
- Region Five RTCC: Promoting the value of volunteer drivers and regional transportation connections
- Washington County finds food delivery partnership popular among residents
- Demand for volunteer drivers in rural Minnesota in the news
- In the news
December 2021

- New state legislation reduces barriers to volunteer driving
- GIS mapping provides clearer picture of gaps in transportation access
- Scott County: Introducing 'Hop Scott' from SmartLink
- East Central RTCC: Improving access through information
- Connected and automated vehicle testing begins
- Minnesota’s Road to Volunteer Drivers Virtual Forum Series recordings
June 2021

- Volunteer Driver Forum Series available as on-demand training
- State agencies partner to provide mobile "vaccine buses"
- Mid-Minnesota driver recruitment campaign garners attention
- Inclusive walk audit guide available
March 2021
- Expert offers tips for recruiting volunteer drivers
- Lessons in starting a volunteer-driver program
- Minnesota's Road to Volunteer Drivers Virtual Forum Series
- Volunteer-driver program bills advancing in the legislature
- 2020 MCOTA Annual Report available
- Southwest Minnesota RTCC
December 2020

- Region 5 RTCC update
- SmartLink: Mobility management for Scott and Carver counties
- Public transportation can play key role in addressing social isolation in older adults
- Constituent stories critical to passage of 2021 bills supporting volunteer drivers
- Newtrax partners with restaurants for innovative food delivery service