FTA announces $3.5M to improve public transport accessibility

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $3.5 million in grants for 17 projects in 16 states to improve mobility and access to public transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and individuals of low income. Funding is provided through FTA’s Mobility for All Pilot Program.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced this funding opportunity as part of an Access and Mobility for All Summit held in October 2019 at USDOT, where she announced a number of new initiatives to improve access to transportation.

“FTA is committed to improving access and mobility for all Americans, especially as we work to address the impacts of COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator, K. Jane Williams. “Through improved coordination of transportation services and enhanced partnerships, these projects will provide more efficient service to people in rural and small urban areas and individuals affected by healthcare challenges such as the opioid epidemic, veterans and Medicaid recipients.”

Selected projects support coordination among programmes funded by the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), an interagency partnership which includes representatives from USDOT and 10 other federal agencies to coordinate efforts and improve the quality, efficiency, and availability of transportation services for targeted populations.

Examples of projects selected to receive funding through FTA’s Mobility for All Pilot Program include:

• The Flint Mass Transportation Authority will receive funding to expand its same-day, on-demand transportation programme with new partner agencies and clients, specifically veterans and individuals with substance use disorders living in Flint and Genesee County’s rural communities who travel long distances to healthcare facilities
• The Maine Department of Transportation will receive funding for a pilot project to expand on-demand bus service in Aroostook County and the rural Presque Isle area to daily fixed route bus service. The project will utilise enhanced technology to fill gaps in service and improve access and mobility for older adults and individuals with disabilities in northern Maine
• The North Carolina Department of Transportation will receive funding for trip scheduling software that will create a more efficient point of entry to connect underserved populations, including people seeking substance abuse treatment, with transportation services in rural northeastern North Carolina
• The Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation will receive funding to develop an online directory of transportation services, including transit and human services, volunteer and voucher programmes, travel training, mobility management, and other transportation services and programmes. This will expand information about transportation options for Virginia residents.

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