Section 73-E - Rural public transportation coordination assistance program1. Program established. There is hereby established a rural public transportation coordination assistance program which shall: a. enhance the access of people in rural counties to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services and recreation services and opportunities;b. assist in the establishment, maintenance, development, improvement and use of public transportation services in rural counties;c. encourage and facilitate the most efficient and economical use of all federal, state and local funds used to provide passenger transportation in rural counties through the establishment of a coordinated public transportation service in each county; and seek to increase the productivity of existing programs used for transportation by increasing the hours of vehicle operation and by expanding services and service eligibility in such manner as to transport more persons, especially those in need of transportation but who do not typically receive transportation services;d. provide for the participation of public and private for profit and not-for-profit transportation providers, school districts and volunteers in coordinated public transportation services in rural counties to the maximum extent feasible.2. Eligible expenses and services. The department shall, in consultation with the interagency coordinating committee on rural public transportation, define and determine the categories or types of expenses or services that will be eligible for financial assistance. Public transportation services funded under this article should be designed to maximize usage by the public, including transportation disadvantaged persons. Rail, air, water, freight, emergency medical, charter or tour transportation services shall not be eligible for assistance provided by this article. No payment of financial assistance under this section shall be made for any expenses incurred by a rural county or its subcontractors prior to the date it receives written notice from the commissioner that it shall be awarded a grant under this article.3. Technical assistance and transportation management services. The department may, at the request of a services coordinator, provide technical transportation assistance to said coordinator to help the coordinator comply with program standards and guidelines issued by the commissioner. Additionally, the department may arrange to sponsor training programs which will enable services coordinators to perform the duties required by this article. The department may furnish to and periodically update for services coordinators information relating to existing rural transportation services in the state. Such information may include but not be limited to: a. a brief description of the nature and scope of existing rural public transportation services, including a listing of transportation providers and services coordinators;b. the identification of unique operating circumstances, and innovative management or transportation services delivery techniques.4. Transportation services coordination between counties and regions. The department may identify and attempt to coordinate the use of transportation services outside of individual rural counties and between counties in order to enable persons to be transported outside a county and or outside a region and the department may identify and promote the intercounty use of transportation facilities.5. Coordination of federal, state, local and private aid; report. The department may compile and maintain current information on available and pending federal, state, local and private aid affecting coordinated public transportation services in rural counties. The department may request and shall be entitled to receive information from state or local agencies regarding the amount of federal, state and local aid received by public and private nonprofit organizations providing or contracting for transportation services and the purpose for which the aid is received. The commissioner may, in consultation with the interagency coordinating committee on rural public transportation, use the following criteria to recommend policies to the governor and the legislature that would or could promote compliance with the purposes of this subdivision: a. elimination of duplicative and inefficient administrative costs, policies and management;b. greater utilization of resources for providing effective and efficient transportation services;c. elimination of duplicative and inefficient transportation services;d. development of transportation services which meet the needs of the general public and insure services adequate to the needs of transportation disadvantaged persons;e. protection of the rights of privately operated public transportation providers;f. coordination of transportation services providers, in order that individual providers, when participating within a coordinated public transportation services program, together provide an integrated, comprehensive service;g. management of equipment and facilities purchased with public funds in order that efficient and routine maintenance and replacement is accomplished.