The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Wednesday that it will make approximately $4.7 million in grant funding available for project to improve accessibility in transportation services.
Part of the FTA’s Innovative Coordinate Access and Mobility (ICAM) pilot program, the funding will support competitive grants for projects that improve access to transit services for older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals. ICAM supports project that improve transportation coordination and enhance mobility, officials said, including access to non-emergency medical transportation.
“For seniors, for people with disabilities, for low-income families, transit access isn’t just about getting where you need to go—it’s about dignity and independence,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Thanks to President Biden, we are proud to provide new funding that will connect underserved populations with necessities such as medical care and groceries through affordable, accessible public transit.”
The FTA said applications, which are due on Feb. 13, 2024, will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Eligible applicants include recipients of FTA’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disability Formula Program, government entities that operate a public transportation service, or their eligible subrecipient that have the authority and technical capacity to implement a regional or statewide cost allocation pilot.
“All Americans should be able to easily access healthcare and other critical needs to live their lives,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “We are excited to provide funding opportunities to improve how local, state, and regional organizations coordinate transportation services to facilitate connections in communities. We are committed to ensuring no American is left out.”
In the program’s 2024 fiscal year, FTA intends to target funding for regional and statewide mobility management capital project that support the coordination and enablement of comprehensive community access.