As a grant administrator for the state of Indiana, IndyGo recently distributed $1,764,088 in federal assistance among nine central Indiana mobility-based organizations to help fund 11 different transportation programs for low-income individuals and people with disabilities.
The funding, provided by the Federal Transit Administration's Job Access and Reverse Commute and New Freedom programs, is awarded annually, through a grant application process, to local organizations with unmet transportation needs. Any grants awarded require local matching funds to be secured and provided by the grantee.
- The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority received $837,500 in Job Access and Reverse Commute funding to support reverse commute service between Marion and Hamilton Counties as well as connect suburban Hamilton County employment circulator services. The organization also received $4,800 in funding for marketing materials and signage for cross-county transit connection points.
- ACCESS Johnson County received $207,524 in Job Access and Reverse Commute funding to enhance its fixed route service that links low-income Johnson County residents to Indianapolis and IndyGo. The organization also received $132,055 in New Freedom funding to continue supporting its same-day service and voucher program as well as expand its flexible fixed route services for individuals with disabilities.
- The Central Indiana Council on Aging received $183,525 in New Freedom funding to continue its voucher program that provides transportation support to individuals with disabilities in Marion and adjoining counties.
- The Exodus Refugee Immigration Center received $100,875 in Job Access and Reverse Commute funding to support the continuation of its mini-bus transportation program that assists hundreds of immigrants relocating to Indianapolis.
- BOSMA Enterprises Inc. received $101,493 in New Freedom funding to procure and operate two vans that will expand same-day transportation support to individuals with vision disabilities.
- ? IndyGo received $70,200 in New Freedom funding for the continuation of its taxi voucher program that provides same-day transportation services for individuals with disabilities.
- Pathway Resource Center received $54,363 in Job Access and Reverse Commute funding for the continuation of its employment-related transportation services for low-income individuals.
- Families First Inc. received $44,210 in Job Access and Reverse Commute funding for the continued support of its "Ways to Work" car loan program for low-income individuals.
- The accessABILITY Center for Independent Living received $27,543 in New Freedom funds to help support the operation of an accessible bus that provides alternative transportation for individuals with disabilities.
The Job Access and Reverse Commute program helps fund employment-related transportation services and activities for low-income individuals, while the New Freedom program supports transportation options for people with disabilities that are beyond those required by the American Disabilities Act.
Organizations interested in applying for either of these grants in the future should contact Roscoe Brown, IndyGo director of coordinated transportation programs, at 317.614.9318 or [email protected] with questions. The next call for projects is slated for February 2012.
