As the metropolitan planning organization, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is responsible for updating the region's Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP). The CHSTP update seeks to improve economic and social opportunity in the region by expanding access to essential services for vulnerable populations - those who are more critically impacted by barriers and gaps in infrastructure, service coordination, and policies. Vulnerable populations frequently have one or more of the following demographic characteristics: over the age of 65, physically or mentally disabled, below the poverty line, and/or transit dependent. Essential services are defined as destinations needed to meet a standard quality of life and include places of employment, grocery stores, schools, medical facilities, recreation/open space areas, senior centers, and centers for the developmentally disabled. This document was informed by research on best practices and feedback from stakeholders during the project outreach process and looks for new ways to promote affordable, and safe mobility for all.
The CHSTP update focuses on developing and prioritizing projects that may be funded outside of traditional CHSTP funding sources. The CHSTP team has engaged local governments, human services agencies, nonprofits, transportation providers, advocates, and low income, senior, and disabled users to identify unmet mobility needs and service gaps, recommend new or different kinds of transportation access solutions, and enable more people to access social and economic mobility.
The DVRPC Board accepted the latest update to the region's CHSTP on January 23, 2025.