To support public outreach and education regarding transportation options that reduce emissions and congestion

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Mid America Regional Council $463,500 on December 9, 2025, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to support public outreach and education regarding transportation options that reduce emissions and congestion.

The award funds three regional initiatives. The Way to Go program, a regional rideshare initiative, receives $150,000 to promote alternative commuting modes including telecommute programs, flexible work schedules, and parking management. Activities include employer outreach, commute audits, operation of a guaranteed ride home program, commute challenges, bike month promotion, and public education. The Active Transportation Program receives $36,000 to support walking and bicycling as integral transportation modes through bicycle and pedestrian education, promotion of bike month, National Trails Day, and National Walk to School Day, and bike map creation and printing. The MARC Regional Air Quality Public Education Program receives $277,500 to educate the public about health, environmental, and economic impacts of ozone pollution through media advertisements and targeted outreach, while promoting vehicle maintenance, vehicle miles traveled reduction, and alternative transportation modes.

The funding obligates $463,500 total (though the source states a different obligated amount of $541,860, reflecting potential administrative or matching components), with performance through December 31, 2029, across Missouri. Expected outcomes include increased public understanding of air quality issues and transportation options, and greater business engagement in transportation issues. The intended beneficiaries include the general public, disadvantaged communities experiencing disproportionate pollution impacts, and commuters. No sub-recipients are identified.

Activities

Way to go (regional rideshare program)(tip # 970041)-$150000 -- source of FED. Funds -- cmaq mothe regional way to go program (formerly ridesharekc) will promote the use of alternative modes of commuting telecommute programs flexible work schedules parking management programs and working with schools to educate young people on the value of alternative modes. Activities include outreach to employers and the commuting public providing commute audits for interested employers operating the guaranteed ride home program hosting commute challenges bike month promotion public education and networking.active transportation program(tip # 970040) - $36000 -- source of FED. Funds -- cmaq mothis program supports walking bicycling as integral transportation modes of a total transportation system. This work provides necessary support for bicycle pedestrian education promotion programs including promotion of bike month nation trails day and national walk to school day and bike map creation and printing etc.marc regional air quality public education program (tip # 970039)-$277500 -- source of FED. Funds -- cmaq mothis program which is a key element of KS/MO sips and clean air action plan uses media ADS and targeted outreach to educate public about health environmental and economic impacts of ozone pollution. This program also promotes vehicle maintenance VMT reduction and alternative modes.

Expected outcomes

Increases public understanding of air quality issues how to protect health from harmful pollutants and transportation options available.- area businesses are more engaged in transportation issues that directly impact them.

Intended beneficiaries

General public- disadvantaged communities who experience disproportionate impacts from pollution - commuters (work or college)