HST Brokerage Operations
Brokerage Overview
The HST system was designed and implemented in partnership with the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOTPW) and select Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), or local transit agencies. As such, the Commonwealth was geographically separated into nine distinct HST Regions (HST1-9), and six RTAs broker human service transportation services throughout their designated regions throughout the Commonwealth. This high level of coordination is accomplished as each RTA administers transportation services by subcontracting with qualified transportation providers in their geographic area.
Through the HST office’s brokerage operation, human service transportation is provided to eligible consumers via two models: “demand-response” and “program-based”.
- Demand-Response (“dial-a-ride”) transportation provides as-needed trips for consumers to varying locations. This model is used primarily for MassHealth PT-1 non-emergency medical transportation services.
- Program-Based transportation operates on a daily or regularly scheduled basis in which consumers are picked up from their homes and transported to the same program facility, on a grouped or shared-ride basis. This includes transportation for Department of Developmental Services, MassHealth-funded Day Habilitation programs, and the Department of Public Health’s Early Intervention program.
All RTAs/brokers with whom the HST office conducts business are required to adhere to high quality performance standards with specific outcome measures which have been established and are closely monitored. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Brokering/contracting services to local providers
- Monitoring/ensuring service quality (on-site inspections, consumer surveys, etc.)
- Monitoring/ensuring routing and cost efficiency
- Generating operational reports
This information is provided by Human Service Transportation.