BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $4.7 million in funding awards to 43 organizations for 55 projects in the Community Transit Grant Program. This annual competitive grant program, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, supports operating and mobility management projects for Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities.
The town of Rutland successfully applied to the grant program and has been awarded $75,477 to launch a new Council on Aging transportation program to supplement existing options and fill gaps in the transportation network.
“Public transportation investments connect people with destinations, giving people access to jobs, housing and community, and supporting overall economic vitality,” said MassDOT acting aecretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We had almost twice as much interest in the program this year compared to last year, and we look forward to watching how these investments advance the awardees’ goals around equity and access for populations with disabilities and older adults, while connecting these individuals to medical care, jobs, and other essential resources.”
MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger added, “The grant funding will support mobility needs across our state such as helping individuals transition from driving, supporting volunteer driver programs, and helping to ensure older adults and members of the disability community can have rides to important destinations. We look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make in the lives of residents, especially those in rural areas and Environmental Justice Communities where public transportation needs are greatest.”
The grant awards will be funded through Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funds, remaining CRSSA and ARPA funding through the FTA 5310 program, and new funding made available to MassDOT through the fiscal 2024 state budget to expand the Community Transit Grant Program. In addition to these operating and mobility management grants, MassDOT also awards fully accessible vehicles through the Community Transit Grant Program; the fiscal 2024 vehicle applications opened Nov. 28. Learn more about the upcoming cycle: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-community-transit-grant.
The funding is for the fiscal 2024 cycle, for operating and mobility management applications submitted in the summer of 2023. In total, in this announcement, MassDOT plans to distribute $4,737,912 for mobility management and operating projects.
