MassDOT is pleased to announce the schedule for this year’s Community Transit Grant Program, which is their annual grant program to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities.
Operating & Mobility Management
- Applications open September 16, and are due November 1.
- Pre-application training sessions will be held September 16 from 1-2:30 and September 20 from 10-11:30. These are virtual sessions on Zoom. They will cover the same content, so you do not need to attend both. These are required for new applicants and recommended for everyone. To register, please contact Molly Belanger at molly.a.belanger@dot.state.ma.us. If you are unable to make these times, please let Molly know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Accessible Vehicles
- Applications open October 15 and are due November 22.
Pre-application trainings will be held October 15 from 1-2:30 and October 17 from 10-11:30. These are virtual sessions on Zoom. They will cover the same content, so you do not need to attend both. These are required for new applicants and recommended for everyone. To register, please contact Molly Belanger at molly.a.belanger@dot.state.ma.us. If you are unable to make these times, please let Molly know and MassDOT will do their best to accommodate you.
MassDOT distributes two types of grants:
- Funding for operating or mobility management projects to expand mobility
- Accessible vehicles
MassDOT uses multiple types of funding to fund these awards:
- Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funding
- State Mobility Assistance Program funds for vehicles
- State Education and Transportation Fund funds for operating and mobility management projects
Eligible applicants include:
- Regional Transit Authorities
- Nonprofits
- Municipalities, including Councils on Aging
- Private operators of public transit (shared-ride) services – please contact us before applying to ensure your eligibility
Strong applications and projects incorporate these best practices:
- Respond to unmet local or regional transportation need
- Coordinate with partners across sectors to build on – not duplicate – existing transportation options
- Include riders in project planning, design, implementation, and evaluation
- Prioritize transportation for older adults and people with disabilities while offering unused seats to the general public
Learn more on this website.