IndyGo Reveals Grant Recipients

IndyGo has announced recipients of federal funding for transportation projects serving low-income residents. The public transit provider is the designated recipient responsible for awarding the federal Job Access Reverse Commute and New Freedom grants. July 19, 2013

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS – Since 2007, IndyGo has been the designated recipient of federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom grant monies for the greater Indianapolis region. As the designated recipient for the region, IndyGo is responsible for reviewing funding applications, selecting projects for funding (based on a locally developed Coordinated Public Transit and Human Services Plan), and dispersing grants for transportation projects that serve low-income individuals and those with disabilities. For the 2013 funding cycle, the State of Indiana selected IndyGo as the designated recipient of a funding source newly available to eligible organizations— Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310. Through a community review process, IndyGo has selected projects for funding and announced the award of a combined $1,244,599 in JARC, New Freedom and Section 5310 grant monies.

In order to disperse these federal funds, IndyGo issued a Call for Projects in February 2013. Requests for these grant dollars from ten organizations in 16 applications totaled more than $2.5M. Applications for funding under these federal grant programs were reviewed and evaluated by two committees. The application review process resulted in funding 11 of the 16 submitted projects.

JARC Awards:

The JARC program provides funding to support eligible employment-related transportation services and activities for low-income individuals. Federal grant assistance for JARC can cover up to 80% of total costs for capital projects and up to 50% of total costs for operating projects. All eligible grant recipients are responsible for providing local matching funds for the balance of the total project costs.

Agency: ACCESS Johnson County Public Transit

Project: Enhanced fixed route public transit service which connects with IndyGo routes.

Funding Award: $202,434

Agency: Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority (CIRTA)

Project: Employment Circulator in Hamilton County. Connects with IndyGo fixed routes along the 86th St./82nd St. corridor.

Funding Award: $147,944

Agency: Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority (CIRTA)

Project: Regional mobility management through County Connect. Coordination of county transportation services to enhance regional mobility.

Funding Award: $51,773

Agency: Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.

Project: Purchase and operation of one ADA vehicle to provide transportation for refugees.

Funding Award: $59,746

Agency: Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo)

Project: IT products and service to introduce real-time bus tracking information for customers.

Funding Award: $76,310

New Freedom and Section 5310 Awards:

The New Freedom program provides funding to support eligible transportation options beyond those required by the ADA for individuals with disabilities while Section 5310 funds provide capital assistance for transportation programs addressing the needs of aging individuals and those with disabilities. Federal grant assistance for New Freedoms and Section 5310 can cover up to 80% of total costs for capital projects and up to 50% of total costs for operating projects. All eligible grant recipients are responsible for providing local matching funds for the balance of the total project costs.

Agency: ACCESS Johnson County Public Transit

Project: Same day transportation service, voucher services, and enhanced flexible fixed routes services for individuals with disabilities.

Funding Award: $139,682 from New Freedom

Agency: CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Inc.

Project: Taxi voucher program for regional transportation.

Funding Award: $215,870 from New Freedom

Agency: CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Inc.

Project: Purchase of two ADA vehicles to provide transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Funding Award: $83,200 from Section 5310

Agency: Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo)

Project: Taxi voucher program for certified paratransit customers.

Funding Award: $107,640 from New Freedom and Section 5310

Agency: Noble of Indiana

Project: Purchase of two ADA vehicle to provide transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Funding Award: $120,000 from Section 5310

Agency: Tangram

Project: Purchase of one ADA vehicle to provide transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Funding Award: $40,000 from Section 5310

The 2013 funding cycle for these federal grant programs marks the end of JARC and New Freedom grant programs. Under the new national transportation bill passed by Congress last fall, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the JARC and New Freedom programs have been discontinued. However, new provisions in the Section 5310 funding program allow certain eligible organizations to receive funds to support transportation programs for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. IndyGo anticipates issuing a Call for Projects in February 2014 for Section 5310 grants. To learn more, visit http://www.indygo.net/pages/grantsSource: IndyGo