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This Month

Buses on shoulders -
a smooth ride
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Westbound widening of SR 52 set to begin
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Meth costly for San Diego region rule
San Diego companies shine as Best Workplaces for Commuters
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Funding for low income and disabled transportation services rule
New SPRINTER vehicles tested
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Smart growth is a smart move
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SANDAG Board Actions available online
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   the rEgion
 

Funding for low income and disabled transportation services

MTS TrolleySANDAG has been selected by the Governor of California to be the designated recipient of the Jobs Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and New Freedom (NF) federal funding for the San Diego County urbanized area. SANDAG will distribute approximately $1.25 million in JARC funds and $605,000 in NF funds to San Diego County programs. These programs fund transportation services and facilities for persons with disabilities or transportation to work for low-income users.

“These new funds will provide critical transportation support to disabled and economically challenged individuals in our community to assist them in their trips to and from work,” said Joe Kellejian, SANDAG Transportation Committee Chair and Solana Beach Councilmember.

SANDAG may award funds to the Consolidated Public Transit and Human Services Agency (CTSA), transit agencies, private providers, and nonprofit agencies and providers. Funds will be distributed based on a competitive process. The deadline for applications is November 16, 2006. The application and further information are available at www.sandag.org/funds.

The JARC program provides funding to support the development and maintenance of projects to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. Approximately $1.25 million in JARC funds will be available for fiscal year 2006 for the urbanized area of the region. Examples of projects that may be funded by JARC include, but are not limited to:

  • late night and weekend fixed route service;
  • guaranteed ride home service;
  • ridesharing — including vanpool and carpool activities;
  • bicycling programs;
  • information and dispatch systems; and
  • promotion, marketing, and pass programs.

The recently created NF program provides new public transportation services and public transportation alternatives beyond those currently required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The urbanized area of the region has been allocated $605,000 in NF funds for fiscal year 2006. Examples of projects and activities that might be funded under the New Freedom program include, but are not limited to:

  • purchasing vehicles and supporting accessible taxi, ridesharing, and vanpool programs;
  • providing paratransit services beyond minimum requirements (3/4 mile to either side of a fixed route);
  • making accessibility improvements to transit and intermodal stations not designated as key stations;
  • supporting voucher programs for transportation services offered by human service providers;
  • supporting volunteer driver and aide programs; and
  • supporting mobility management and coordination programs among public transportation providers and other human service agencies that provide transportation.

The JARC and NF programs are funded by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Both programs require a 50 percent local match for operating projects, and a 20 percent local match for capital projects.

SAFETEA-LU was signed into law by President Bush on August 10, 2005 and will provide $244.1 billion for highways, highway safety, and public transportation.

Project Manager:
Dan Levy, Senior Transportation Planner
dle@sandag.org, (619) 699-6942