The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to promote the following funding opportunities that support inclusive age- and dementia friendly communities:
- Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grants, MassDOT (applications open Sept. 5 and are due Nov. 7)
Transit authorities, municipalities, nonprofits, and Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) are eligible to apply for funding for microtransit and last mile programs and pilots. This new program is funded with state Education and Transportation Fund (Fair Share) funds through the FY25 supplemental state budget. $10 million total is available.
Microtransit refers to “a technology-enabled service that uses multi-passenger vehicles to provide on-demand services with dynamically generated routing. Microtransit services are traditionally provided in designated service areas. Service models include first mile/last mile connections to fixed route services; hub to hub zone-based services; the commingling of ADA complementary paratransit services with general transit service; and point-to-point service within a specific zone or geography,” according to the Federal Transit Administration.
Last mile refers to solutions that bridge the gap between a rider’s home and transit, or their destination (such as their workplace) and transit.
The budget language that created this new grant program directs MassDOT to pay particular attention to applications that:
- expand mobility options for rural communities
- extend service to veterans, working families, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals
- provide mobility choices to people with mobility needs
- extend equitable and affordable transportation mobility improvements in the commonwealth
- serve cities and towns that are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing and have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development
More information is available here.
- Community Transit Grant Program – Operating and Mobility Management Cycle, MassDOT (applications open Sept. 5 and are due Nov.7)
The FY26 Community Transit Grant Program Operating and Mobility Management Cycle provides funding to organizations for projects to expand mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. This grant program is funded with state Education and Transportation Funding; $4 million is available through the FY26 state budget. For qualifying projects that serve older adults and people with disabilities and have access to matching funds, MassDOT can also use Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funds.
Transit authorities, municipalities, nonprofits, and private providers providing shared-ride public transit are eligible to apply. To best meet riders’ needs and use public resources wisely, MassDOT prioritizes coordinated models that bring partners together, fill gaps in the transportation network, and avoid duplication of service.
More information is available here.
- Community Transit Grant Program – Vehicle Cycle, MassDOT (applications open Sept. 25 and are due Nov. 21)
Transit authorities, municipalities (including Councils on Aging), and nonprofits are eligible to apply for fully accessible vans to enhance mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. These vans must be used to meet the specific needs of older adults and people with disabilities. Vehicles used in fixed-route service are not eligible for this funding stream.
Applicants are encouraged to explore all options before applying, such as connecting with local partners to explore sharing a van, or purchasing transportation services. To best meet riders’ needs and use public resources wisely, MassDOT prioritizes coordinated models that bring partners together, fill gaps in the transportation network, and avoid duplication of service.
If you are awarded a van, MassDOT covers 85 percent of the cost, and you cover the remaining 15 percent. Transit authorities can get their vehicles fully covered, so if you are a municipality that is a member of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA), reach out to your RTA to see about partnering. If you wish to add additional features beyond the base model, you will need to cover the full cost of those options.
If you receive a vehicle, your drivers will need to participate in mandatory driver training.
To fund these awards, we use Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funds as well as state Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funds. Both funding streams support enhanced mobility for older adults and people with disabilities.
More information is available here.