Section 5310 Grant - VIA Metropolitan Transit

Section 5310 Grant

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]