Local Community Organizations Benefit from MassDOT Community Transit Grants

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce this year’s awards through the annual Community Transit Grant Program. This year, MassDOT has awarded 153 vans and mini-buses to 37 organizations. In addition, $1,802,197 in funding was awarded to 18 organizations for 25 operating and mobility management projects. Award recipients include Regional Transit Authorities, municipalities, Councils on Aging, and eligible nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts.

“The Community Transit Grant Program is a vital part of the Commonwealth’s efforts to accommodate and maintain the independence of an increasingly aging population,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We are happy to distribute these funds in order to help senior citizens and others with disabilities stay active and engaged in their communities across the Commonwealth.”

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 funds. The FTA Section 5310 grant program provides funding to assist with the purchase of capital equipment, mobility management, and operational costs in order to meet the mobility needs of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities of any age. State Mobility Assistance Program (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. In total, MassDOT plans to distribute $10,207,139 of federal and state funds for vehicles, operating projects, and mobility management projects in this round of the program.

As part of the grants, the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority GATRA) is receiving 12 vehicles, while the South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. is receiving seven. The Fairhaven, Marion and Westport Councils on Aging with each receive one vehicle.

GATRA has also received $60,000 for the continued funding of the Wareham-New Bedford shuttle, and $50,000 for long-distance demand and response transportation to medical appointments for people living with disabilities and/or age 60 or older. The South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. is also receiving a $40,000 grant for help with operating the SSCAC transition program.

---MassDOT