To the editor:
Recently, I received a copy of a call to action that was being passed out by some bus passengers concerning Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS). The information on the sheet misleads me to think the Aroostook Regional Transportation System is being sold and bus service may soon end. ARTS is not being sold, but changes are happening and this is why.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) administers the MaineCare program. Rules in that program require MaineCare to provide transportation assistance to MaineCare consumers needing transportation to get to MaineCare services. ARTS has coordinated the provision of this help for MaineCare in Aroostook County for many years. Two years ago Maine DHHS, acting on recommendations from the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, chose to move to a new system of risk-based brokerage. At that time, ARTS informed Maine DHHS and the Maine Department of Transportation that the switch would not only affect MaineCare service in Aroostook but would change other transportation services that are being done by ARTS, which would include ARTS’ bus services.
The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) held a meeting in Presque Isle in May, 2011 for the public on a Biennial Operation Plan (BOP). Passengers that used ARTS bus services came to the meeting from the St. John Valley, southern Aroostook as well as central Aroostook to express concerns about the changes that would occur if the changes were implemented. Near universal support for maintaining the existing system was expressed by those affected by potential change.
The MaineCare office issued a request for proposals seeking regional brokers on a risk basis last summer. The broker will be at risk to meet the MaineCare transportation needs for MaineCare eligible services. The broker is paid on a per member, per month basis. If it costs more to serve the beneficiary than they receive, the broker is at risk for the higher cost. If it costs less, the broker makes money. ARTS submitted a proposal but was not selected. A Connecticut-based company — Coordinated Transportation Solutions — was selected by MaineCare to service Aroostook County and five other regions in Maine. ARTS has been advised the transition will happen effective sometime in the near future.
The total effect on ARTS bus service has yet to be determined. Coordinated Transportation Solutions will not have an Aroostook County presence. They are setting up a 24/7 telephone call center in the Lewiston/Auburn area and all MaineCare members will need to call there for service. The broker will not be directly providing the transportation services but will be arranging for the provision of a ride.
ARTS is in hopes that it will be able to provide some level of transportation service for the broker but this is subject to a contract being negotiated and that process has not started. The success of that negotiation will determine how much transportation ARTS may have available. ARTS is expecting cutbacks on bus service now being provided and will have to consider increasing fares. ARTS will continue to provide some level of bus transportation and hopes to continue to be a major player for passengers getting to essential services in the future.
For the people now using our transportation services and the many health and social service agencies that have stuck with us since 1978, ARTS wants to thank you for your past and present support. ARTS is hoping that we have your continuing support as these changes occur.
Daniel Donovan, director
Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc.
