SAN DIEGO–Earlier this month, the SANDAG Board of Directors awarded $7.2 million to jurisdictions and non-profit organizations throughout San Diego County to fund projects that expand mobility options for seniors and individuals with disabilities through the Specialized Transportation Grant Program.
Grant program funding comes from two sources: TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation approved by San Diego County voters, and Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 program funds.
In this tenth funding cycle, SANDAG awarded approximately $3.1 million to 11 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 $4.1 million was awarded under Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 to 46 projects that fund transportation projects that enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
First-time grant recipient The Arc of San Diego will use funds to provide transportation services for people with intellectual disabilities; one of multiple transportation operators awarded funds to help their clients get to work and community activities. On average, grant recipients provide more than 400,000 one-way passenger trips to seniors and persons with disabilities each year. Other projects awarded funding include shuttles and on-demand transportation, non-emergency medical transportation, volunteer driver programs, transportation information and referral services, and the procurement of 38 new accessible vehicles to provide services throughout the county.
Since the Specialized Transportation Grant Program began in 2006, SANDAG has awarded more than $18.4 million in TransNet funds and more than $22.9 million in federal grants to support 297 specialized transportation projects, including the procurement of 128 ADA compliant vehicles.
