This application programs $1742600 in section 5310 funding (FY24 - $1189750 FY25 $552850)

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District (doing business as ST Louis Metro) $3.306 million in Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities formula grant funding on February 12, 2026, to support ancillary and alternative transportation services operated by local nonprofit organizations across the St. Louis metropolitan region.

The award funds seven projects selected through the Section 5310 solicitation process conducted by East-West Gateway, the designated metropolitan planning organization. Projects include both New Freedom type initiatives and traditional type projects serving seniors and individuals with disabilities. Matching funds totaling $1.563 million are derived from local sales tax and other non-federal sources provided by awarded sub-recipient organizations. The total application budget is $3.306 million.

Federal funding is split across fiscal years: $1.189 million obligated for FY24 and $552,850 for FY25. Bi-State Development Agency administers New Freedom type projects through a memorandum of understanding. The Missouri Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation administer traditional type projects under separate applications, requesting additional Section 5310 apportionment funds ($1.474 million FY24 and $1.480 million FY25 from Missouri; $309,632 FY24 and $310,720 FY25 from Illinois).

All seven projects derive from the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan adopted in April 2008 and most recently updated in April 2024, which was developed through a process including representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers. The period of performance extends through October 30, 2031, with place of performance in Missouri.

Activities

Funding programmed in this award will support ancillary or alternative transportation services that will be operated by local nonprofit organizations and transit service providers. The services provided will help improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding the transportation mobility options available. The targeted population will have enhanced access to curbside door-to-door door-through-door and in some instances arm-through-arm supported transportation to essential services like home work school grocery stores and medical appointments and other services like general shopping and entertainment. A full description of each activity is listed in the extended budget description under its respective activity line item (ALI).

Expected outcomes

Activities performed are expected in many cases to exceed the requirements of the americans with disabilities act (ADA) of 1990 enhancing and improving the mobility of elderly individuals and persons with disabilities by providing access to transportation services that are otherwise inaccessible due to various health and medical reasons. The services provided under these programs are intended to create alternate options to circumvent the barriers that may be present at general public bus stops for persons in this population.

Intended beneficiaries

Project activities programmed in this application are intended to benefit seniors and adults with mobility barriers and other disabilities that impact their ability to safely and/or independently utilize the transit system.

Subrecipient activities

Suballocation / subrecipient activities are being programmed into this application.subrecipient: disability resource association has been awarded $466695 for 2 years operating . This project is a continuation of an existing activity which intends to complement the transportation services by filling the gaps for residents who are unable to access the fixed-route service due to severity of their disabilities or distance between their homes and the nearest bus stop.subrecipient: illinois center for autism has been awarded $203957 for 2 years operating. This project will provide essential transportation for the clients of its adult services program to support their well-being independence and community involvement.subrecipient: mercy hospital south has been awarded $158987 for 3 years operating. This project will establish a new closed-door demand-responsive door-to-door transportation service to assist seniors and disabled patients upon discharge from their facility ensuring they have safe and reliable transportation to their residences or rehabilitation centers.subrecipient: oats transit has been awarded $150000 for 1 year operating for augment funding for their existing program that is not eligible under the 5311 rural grant.subrecipient: paraquad INC. Has been awarded $188652 for 3 years operating. This project will provide door-to-door and door-through-door transportation services for persons living with disabilities for whom public transportation is not available or feasible due to the need for more specialized service.subrecipient: ST. Louis society for the blind and visually impaired has been awarded $250665 for 3 years operating. This project will increase service capacity of their existing program which offers transportation to critical resources for clients with vision loss.subrecipient: touchette regional hospital has been awarded $144454 for 2 years operating. This project will support the cost of providing transportation to its program participants to and from the hospital.