News Release

At its meeting Friday, the SANDAG Board of Directors awarded $7.1 million to local agencies and non-profit organizations through the Specialized Transportation Grant program. The funded projects will expand mobility options for seniors and people with impairments throughout the San Diego region. 
 
Ten local agencies and nonprofit organizations listed below were awarded funding for 30 projects and programs, which include shuttles and on-demand transportation, non-emergency medical transportation, volunteer driver programs, transportation information and referral services, and the purchase of new, accessible vehicles.
 
• City of Vista 
• ElderHelp of San Diego
• Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego
• Metropolitan Transit System
• Peninsula Shepherd Center
• San Ysidro Health
• St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
• The Arc of San Diego
• Travelers Aid Society of San Diego

The Specialized Transportation Grant program is funded by  TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation approved by San Diego County voters, which sets aside 2 percent of annual revenues for each TransNet grant program; and  the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 program funds. 
 
In this eleventh funding cycle, SANDAG awarded approximately $3.3 million to nine projects under the TransNet Senior Mini-Grant program to fund specialized transportation services for seniors whose special needs cannot be met by conventional transit or paratransit services. Approximately $3.9 million was awarded under Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 to 21 programs and projects that enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. 
 
Since the Specialized Transportation Grant Program began in 2006, SANDAG has awarded more than $21.1 million in TransNet funds and more than $26.8 million in federal grants to support more than 275 specialized transportation projects. To learn more, visit sandag.org/stgp. 
 
About SANDAG Grants
As the regional planning agency, SANDAG allocates millions of dollars each year in local, state, and federal funds through several competitive grant programs. Current grants awarded include TransNet Smart Growth and TransNet Active Transportation Grant Programs, TransNet Environmental Mitigation Grant Programs, and Specialized Transportation Grant Programs. While each individual grant program maintains a particular focus, they all work together to enhance quality of life in the region.

For media inquiries, please contact Stacy Garcia at 619.699.1950 or PIO@sandag.org