The Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) has designated a new Consolidated Transportation Service Agency (or CTSA) serving western Placer County. The new CTSA is called the Western Placer Consolidated Transportation Service Agency.

California law defines a Consolidated Transportation Service Agency as an agency that coordinates and / or provides social service transportation, including services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities who cannot use conventional transit services.

Funding for CTSA services comes from the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article 4.5 apportionment, which is typically approved by the PCTPA Board of Directors in August.

For over a decade, PRIDE Industries has served as the CTSA for western Placer County. PRIDE Industries will no longer serve this role. All members of the public who have previously used PRIDE Industries I-Ride service should note that this service is being discontinued due to lack of funding. The last day for this service will be December 31, 2008.

Effective January 2, 2009, the non-emergency medical transportation program, the transportation voucher program, and the volunteer transportation program will be administered through a new public / private partnership between the Western Placer CTSA and Seniors First, Inc.

This public / private partnership is the result of collaborative efforts amongst organizations that understand the critical need of serving the transportation needs of the community. The private partners who are supporting this effort are: Seniors First, Inc, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Placer Collaborative Network and Placer Independent Resource Services.

All members of the public who have previously used PRIDE Industries I-Med service for non-emergency medical transportation, or have previously obtained a voucher through PRIDE Industries for last resort transportation services must now contact Seniors First, Inc. to schedule their ride on Health Express. For more information or to schedule a ride on Health Express call 530-887-7433 or 1-800-655-7433.

Medi-Cal recipients are advised that PRIDE Industries will continue to offer this specialized service, provided the recipient receives prior authorization from Medi-Cal. For more information or to schedule a Medi-Cal reimbursed ride with PRIDE Industries call (916) 788-2330.

For more information regarding the Western Placer CTSA services and programs call (530) 823-4030 or email info@wpctsa.net.