Penquis and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program receives $650,462 in funds from Maine DOT to expand transit options

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Penquis and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) $650,462 to improve their transportation services across four counties. The funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration to expand transit options for residents with limited or no transportation options.

Many Maine residents depend on public transportation providers for low-cost, reliable transportation services to access medical care, employment and other needs. Current public transportation services are limited, however, and the lack of transportation can create barriers to improving economic opportunity, physical and mental health and quality of life.

This discretionary federal funding comes from the Areas of Persistent Poverty Program - one of the several new discretionary grant programs included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The focus of the specific grant program is to leverage American ingenuity to build modern infrastructure that will benefit underserved communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Grant funds will support software and technology upgrades at Penquis and KVCAP. The two organizations are rural public transit agencies, providing transportation services for individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Kennebec counties. In 2022, Penquis and KVCAP served 7,850 people and provided 454,766 rides totaling 8.6 million miles.

"Maine's vast rural geography, our aging population, the high cost of owning a vehicle and harsh winter weather all create a high demand for community transportation options," said Penquis Transportation Services Director Steven Richard. "The grant will be used to develop and acquire software that will help expand our region's capacity to meet transportation needs into the future."

Penquis will work with HBSS Connect Corp. to enhance QRyde, a transportation management platform that uses a state-of-the-art Global Scheduling Engine. The software will increase operational efficiencies through the use of real-time data, enhanced scheduling and dispatching capabilities and a fare card system to expand payment options for riders. The improvements will enable Penquis and KVCAP to expand capacity and increase the number of individuals accessing reliable, low-cost community transportation. Operational efficiencies will also reduce carbon emissions and minimize pollution, contributing to improved public health.