Section 5310 Grant - VIA Metropolitan Transit

Section 5310 Grant

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PUBLIC NOTICE

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

CALL FOR PROJECTS: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grant Program

VIA Metropolitan Transit, a designated recipient of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is now accepting applications from eligible entities for funding under FTA’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grant Program.

The goal of the program is to improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities by providing alternatives when the transportation service is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate and expanding transportation mobility options.  The program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities.  Eligible projects include both traditional capital investment and nontraditional investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services as defined in FTA Circular 9070.1H.

Applications are due to VIA Metropolitan Transit by 5:00pm (CST) April 3, 2026, by electronic submittal in PDF format to:  [email protected]

Late submittals will not be accepted.

Section 5310 application materials and program information can be found at www.viainfo.net/grant-5310.

VIA will host a Virtual Workshop to provide additional information regarding the 5310 program and application process. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 04, 2026, at 10 AM.

Please submit requests for additional information and/or questions regarding the program and application process to [email protected].

5310 Program Application Detailed Budget Request Form Fleet Inventory Supplemental Form

Vehicle Purchase Supplemental Form 5310 Spending Plan Supplemental Form Virtual Workshop Link

THE SECTION 5310 PROGRAM

The Section 5310, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides federal funding for the purpose of assisting eligible recipients and subrecipients in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when transportation services provided are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.

The program aims to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options. This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas. Eligible projects include both “traditional” capital investment and “nontraditional” investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act {ADA) complementary paratransit services.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

At least 55 percent of program funds must be used on capital or “traditional” 5310 projects. Examples include:

  • Buses and vans; wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement devices; transit-related information technology systems including scheduling/routing/one-call systems; and mobility management programs.

  • Acquisition of transportation services under a contract, lease, or other arrangement. Both capital and operating costs associated with contracted service are eligible capital expenses, as long as the services are competitively procured. The capital eligibility of acquisition of services as authorized in 49 U.S.C. 5310(b)(4) is limited to the Section 5310 program.

The remaining 45 percent is for other “nontraditional” projects. Under MAP-21, the program was modified to include projects eligible under the former 5317 New Freedom program, described as: Capital and operating expenses for new public transportation services and alternatives beyond those required by the ADA, designed to assist individuals with disabilities and seniors. Examples include:

  • Travel training; volunteer driver programs; building an accessible path to a bus stop including curb-cuts, sidewalks, accessible pedestrian signals or other accessible features; improving signage, or way-finding technology; incremental cost of providing same day service or door-to-door service; purchasing vehicles to support new accessible taxi, rides sharing and/or vanpooling programs; and mobility management.

Statutory References: 49 U.S.C. Section 5310 / IIJA Division (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law)
Please see below the following information:

Contact

For questions and/or concerns regarding the 5310 program, please contact:
TJ Johnson, Senior Financial Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 210-362-2178.
Fax: 210-362-2571

Submit all Request for Reimbursement packages to:
[email protected]

HELPFUL LINKS