ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 113

(4) ENSURE, TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THAT AT LEAST ONE GRANT
IS AWARDED TO PROGRAM APPLICANTS PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO
PROVIDE DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

(I)      A RURAL AREA;

(II)     AN URBAN AREA; AND

(III)   A SUBURBAN AREA.
7-1004.

(A)     THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL CONSULT WITH THE. DEPARTMENT OF
AGING WHEN CONSIDERING THE ELIGIBILITY OF A PROGRAM APPLICANT FOR A
GRANT UNDER § 7-1003 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(B)     WHEN AWARDING A GRANT UNDER § 7-1003 OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE
ADMINISTRATION SHALL CONSIDER:

(1)      THE ABILITY OF THE PROGRAM APPLICANT TO PROVIDE
DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME TO
MODERATE-INCOME SENIORS;

(2)      THE PROJECTED VOLUME OF RIDERSHIP;

(3)     THE PROGRAM APPLICANT'S MARKETING AND OUTREACH PLAN TO
ATTRACT RIDERS AND DRIVERS;

(4)      THE ABILITY OF THE PROGRAM APPLICANT TO SUSTAIN
DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION FOR LOW-INCOME TO MODERATE-INCOME
SENIORS BEYOND THE TIME WHEN GRANTS MAY BE AVAILABLE; AND

(5) THE ABILITY OF THE PROGRAM APPLICANT TO COORDINATE ITS
DISPATCHER SYSTEM WITH A LOCAL CENTRAL DISPATCHER SYSTEM; AND

(5) (6) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROGRAM APPLICANT ENCOURAGES:

(I)      SHARED RIDERSHIP;

(II)     COORDINATION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR
TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS; AND

(III)   INNOVATIONS IN RISK MANAGEMENT FOR DRIVERS AND
RIDERS.

(C)     IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING, THE MARYLAND
INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION, AND SENIOR CITIZEN ADVOCACY GROUPS, THE
ADMINISTRATION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS SUBTITLE,
INCLUDING REGULATIONS GOVERNING:

(1)      CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND DRIVING RECORD CHECKS OF
DRIVERS;

(2)      DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY;

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