MassDOT, Denver RTD, WisDOT award grant funding to local transit agencies

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) have awarded grant funding to local transit agencies in their respective areas for various needs. 

MassDOT 

MassDOT is awarding $1.2 million in grant funding through the 5311 Rural Intercity Bus Connections program, aimed at improving connectivity across the state. MassDOT says the initiative is dedicated to enhancing accessibility and connectivity for residents in rural communities who depend on intercity bus services for essential travel to larger urban hubs. Since 2016, MassDOT has awarded nearly $7 million through the 5311 Rural Intercity Bus Connections program. 

"The Healey-Driscoll administration is dedicated to investing in a transportation system that connects people seamlessly to their destinations. Reliable intercity bus service is a vital component of a comprehensive, equitable network," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "We are fortunate to collaborate with partners who are both skilled and committed to delivering bus service that meets the needs of travelers.” 

"Demand for intercity travel remains strong, which is why we want to identify and use every available tool to fill gaps in our transit network," said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. "The routes that received funding are expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, providing rural residents with more convenient and effective transportation options." 

MassDOT notes applicants had the option to select routes identified in the Regional Bus Network Assessment, a previously funded route or propose a new route for funding. MassDOT says this cycle’s grant recipients and routes reflect the state’s commitment to addressing the transportation needs of rural areas: 

• Greyhound Lines, Inc. – Boston to Albany, N.Y., $431,430 
• Greyhound Lines, Inc. – Springfield to Boston, $218,561 
• Peter Pan Bus Lines – Hyannis to Provincetown, $563,659 
• Pioneer Valley Transit Authority – Amherst to Worcester, $49,980 

MassDOT notes eligible applicants, including intercity bus carriers and regional transit authorities, can receive funding to subsidize services on routes serving rural areas, thereby improving links to urban centers for employment and healthcare access. 

Denver RTD 

Denver RTD will provide $1 million in grant funding to 150 qualifying nonprofit and community social service organizations or governmental entities as part of the agency’s Transit Assistance Grant (TAG) program. The program is back for a second year after 181 area organizations received grants to support immediate needs clients in 2024. The program was developed from the agency’s Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis. 

“[Denver] RTD’s Transit Assistance Grant program provides critical assistance to meet urgent needs within the communities served by the agency,” said Denver RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “Public transit is the great societal equalizer. [Denver] RTD continues to engage in partnerships with organizations that serve those with immediate transit needs and that directly impact the overall health of the region.” 

The agency notes selected awardees include resource centers, re-entry programs, city and county governmental agencies, educational institutions, training programs and nonprofit organizations serving low-income, unhoused and disabled customers; newcomers; seniors; and communities of color, as well as LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities. The agency says the program was specifically designed to support individuals who need a reliable transportation option to support emergent or immediate needs. 

According to Denver RTD, grant awards range from $350 to $50,000 in fare media per selected organization, to be distributed in the form of 10-ride ticket books or mobile tickets equivalent to the dollar amount awarded. Denver RTD notes TAG recipients must distribute the tickets to their clients or constituents at no cost to them. 

Through the TAG program, in 2024, the agency issued 229,352 three-hour passes and served more than 56,300 individuals. 

“Through the Transit Assistance Grant Program, Servicios de La Raza distributed bus tickets to participants across the Denver metropolitan region, which helped them to access resources,” said Vice President of Human Services at Servicios de La Raza Josef Lopez. “Resources accessed included food and other basic needs supplies, important medical and court appointments, assistance to recently arrived migrants in navigating to services and shelter, getting clients to substance misuse and mental health appointments, job interviews and to work and other similar needs to help low-income, marginalized communities have equitable access to public transit.”  

The agency received 194 applications for 2025 TAG funding and awarded approximately 77 percent of applicants. 

“After listening to community feedback, we made some changes to the TAG program to better suit the needs of the community,” said Denver RTD’s Manager of Market Development Theresa Rinker. “We were able to give larger grant amounts to eligible organizations who have been able to make significant impacts on the lives of their clients.” 

Denver RTD says TAG is meant to fill the temporary gap for customers who have urgent transportation-related requirements and to provide organizations that serve these customers with time to educate and enroll clients in LiVE, the agency’s income-based fare discount program for eligible customers. 

“The Salvation Army cannot say enough about the RTD TAG program,” said Kaitlyn Coler with the Salvation Army – a recipient of 2024 TAG funding. “They give our clients in shelters and other social service programs the autonomy to accomplish their goals in times of crisis much faster than if they’d needed to wait for transportation access by their own means. These tickets give them the chance to become more proactive, resilient and engaged.”  

A selection panel of Denver RTD staff determined grant recipients based on clear and transparent evaluation criteria, including whether an organization: 

• Is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, social service or governmental agency. 
• Serves clients with immediate needs, including organizations providing support for individuals who need urgent or immediate access to essential services, education, training or employment; assistance with crisis intervention; support for unhoused individuals; aid to newcomers to the metro area; and help for individuals with severe health conditions. 
• Is in good account standing with Denver RTD. 
• Agrees to distribute the fare media only to clients and at no cost. 
• Agrees to provide quarterly reports to Denver RTD that document how many fare products were issued and approximately how many unique immediate-needs clients were assisted. 
• Will implement a process that informs and assists clients with enrollment in LiVE.

WisDOT 

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, together with WisDOT, is providing over $6.3 million in funding to 58 agencies across the state through the Specialized Transit Program to improve local transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The joint federal and state program provides grants to help with specialized transportation services such as mobility management, operating assistance and vehicle purchases. 

“We must continue our work to make sure Wisconsinites across our state can get from point A to point B safely, no matter where they live in Wisconsin. Access to transportation is a key part of connecting the dots to make sure folks can get to where they need to go, whether it’s work, medical appointments or the grocery store or accessing the critical services they need,” Gov. Evers said. “These investments will continue building upon our work to make sure Wisconsin’s infrastructure can meet the demands of the 21st century.” 

WisDOT notes approved Specialized Transit Program projects for 2025 include funding for 15 mobility management initiatives to help coordinate transportation services, increase capacity and connect individuals with transportation services in their geographic area. An additional 23 operating assistance grants will be funded to help organizations defray day-to-day costs of operating these programs. WisDOT notes many of the grant recipients serve smaller communities in rural areas.  

The approved Specialized Transit Program is administered by WisDOT via the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. starting in 2023, WisDOT was provided with additional federal funds through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support five years of administering the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program to communities across the state. 

“We are committed to building a safe and efficient transportation system that serves everyone,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “This combination of federal and state funding will allow local agencies to broaden their reach, offer basic mobility services and give more people access to community services.” 

WisDOT notes that according to the U.S. Department of Transportation 2022 National Household Travel Survey, 18.6 million Americans aged five and older report having travel-limiting disabilities. Compared to those reporting no disabilities, those with travel-limiting disabilities were reported to be less likely to travel, be employed or live in a household with a vehicle. According to WisDOT, the report further states that individuals with travel-limiting disabilities often took fewer trips, citing health problems as the top-most reason for taking fewer trips and lived in lower-income households. These individuals were reported to compensate for their disabilities by asking others for rides, limiting travel to daytime and using rideshare and other special transportation services.  

According to WisDOT, under federal transportation law, the cities of Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, and Green Bay administer the federal 5310 program for their geographic areas. The cities coordinate with WisDOT to ensure continuity of the application and project selection process. WisDOT continues to administer the 5310 Program for the rural and smaller urban areas of the state. 

A complete list of 5310 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Grants for 2025 is available on WisDOT’s website.