The Federal Transit Administration recently awarded the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) a $360,000 Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility Program grant.
Funding will be used for a two-year statewide mobility management pilot program that will expand mobility. The program will help connect potential riders to services and find organizations to bridge gaps in the transportation network. Funding will be used for contractual and administrative support, hiring a statewide mobility manager, and related needs.
“Not everyone has the physical or financial means to travel in their vehicles and it is essential that we prioritize initiatives that meet them where they are,” state Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said. “All of us at MassDOT are looking forward to working with the Steering Committee on this pilot program as the steps we will take will build on a study we just completed, which found widespread support for a more coordinated approach with mobility management.”
The grant requires MassDOT work closely with a steering committee. The committee, already in place, includes partner state agencies to manage statewide programs and initiatives. The committee also will assist with the recently completed MassDOT Regional Mobility Manager Study.
The study explored whether a statewide system would benefit older adults, residents with disabilities, and individuals who are low-income.