The Infrastructure Gap: How Transit Affects Your Services
Accessible transportation is vital for caregivers to reach their clients and for clients to reach their appointments
Most people don’t think of a bus route as part of their homecare plan. But for thousands of Minnesotans who rely on in-home support—whether through PCA Choice, waivers, or CFSS—access to infrastructure like transportation is a critical (and often invisible) part of the equation.
Let’s break down how the infrastructure gap—specifically transportation—shapes what care you receive, when you receive it, and how smoothly it’s delivered.
Roadblocks to Transportation
Reliable transportation is vital not just for clients to get to appointments, but also for:
- PCAs and support workers to reach their clients on time
- Caregivers transporting clients to medical, dental, and therapy visits
- Accessing local resources like food shelves, housing supports, or disability programming
In Greater Minnesota especially, families often rely on a small number of community transportation providers. Long wait times, limited availability, and geographic gaps can make or break a care plan.
What Can Be Done?
Solutions are underway:
- Legislative efforts are aiming to increase public transit funding.
- Some counties are piloting rideshare-style transportation for waiver services.
- But progress is slow—and in the meantime, families and PCAs are left navigating these barriers with little support.