The Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $1.9 million in funding for municipalities, Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities and nonprofit organizations under the Community Transit Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The annual competitive grant program awards money to be used for transit operations and mobility management projects that complement and expand the community transportation options available in communities across Massachusetts. A second set of awards for wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be made in the spring.
“Community Transit Grants provide critical funding to municipalities and local organizations to help people get where they need to go in an accessible, age-friendly way,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. “We are proud to fund these grants and see the work that gets accomplished through this program.”
“We are pleased to provide this key funding to cities and towns, Regional Transit Authorities and nonprofit organizations statewide to help support their transportation needs,” said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “These grant awards expand upon current transportation services, filling gaps where existing options are limited.”
“The Community Transit Grant Program is essential in allowing transportation providers across the Commonwealth to adapt and improve their services for the public,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “In particular, these grants will help projects that will benefit individuals with disabilities, older adults or others who need assistance while accessing transportation.”
The Community Transit Grant Program is the commonwealth’s annual competitive grant program to distribute both Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities funds and State Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funds. The FTA Section 5310 grant program provides funding to assist with the purchase of capital equipment, mobility management projects and operational costs in order to meet the mobility needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities of any age. MAP funds are used to assist in the provision of transportation services to seniors and persons with disabilities exclusively through the purchase of eligible vehicles. This round of awards uses only federal 5310 funds. The spring announcement will include both 5310 and MAP awards.
A complete list of vehicle and funding recipients is available on MassDOT’s website.
