Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Nov. 14 announced 50 awards totaling $3,489,456 in state and federal funds to enhance and support local transportation options for Wisconsin seniors and individuals with disabilities. The specialized transportation program is administered through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) via the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.
The program grants are awarded to assist local municipalities and private, non-profit agencies with providing transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Such services include mobility management, operating assistance and vehicle purchases.
Due to changes in the last federal transportation bill, the cities of Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton and Green Bay now administer the federal 5310 program for their geographic areas. They coordinate with WisDOT to ensure continuity of the application and project selection process. WisDOT continues to administer the specialized transportation program for the rural and smaller urban areas of the state.
The federal and state program, initiated in the mid-1970s, has helped fund the purchase of more than 2,200 vehicles in Wisconsin, including the 740 active vehicles providing transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. In addition, approved projects for 2015 include funding for 15 mobility managers who help coordinate transportation services, increase transportation capacity and help connect individuals with transportation services in their geographic service area. Many of the grant recipients serve smaller communities in rural areas.
