It is the intent of the Legislature, through the enactment of this part, to improve transportation service required by social service recipients by promoting the consolidation of social service transportation services so that the following benefits may accrue:
(a) Combined purchasing of necessary equipment so that some cost savings through larger number of unit purchases can be realized.
(b) Adequate training of vehicle drivers to insure the safe operation of vehicles. Proper driver training should promote lower insurance costs and encourage use of the service.
(c) Centralized dispatching of vehicles so that efficient use of vehicles results.
(d) Centralized maintenance of vehicles so that adequate and routine vehicle maintenance scheduling is possible.
(e) Centralized administration of various social service transportation programs so that elimination of numerous duplicative and costly administrative organizations can occur. Centralized administration of social service transportation services can provide more efficient and cost effective transportation services permitting social service agencies to respond to specific social needs.
(f) Identification and consolidation of all existing sources of funding for social service transportation services can provide more effective and cost efficient use of scarce resource dollars. Consolidation of categorical program funds can foster eventual elimination of unnecessary and unwarranted program constraints.
(Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1120.)