Tompkins county is applying on behalf of gadabout INC. For operating expenses. Gadabout provides complementary demand response paratransit services

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Tompkins County $1.5 million on August 12, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to fund operating expenses for Gadabout Inc., a paratransit provider serving older adults and people with disabilities in the county.

Tompkins County is the direct recipient and administrator; Gadabout Inc. is the sub-recipient and operator of complementary demand response paratransit services. The $1.5 million obligated funds cover FY2026 operating assistance including payroll, fuel, fleet and business insurance, fleet repair and maintenance, fleet tire expenses, Department of Transportation licensing, vehicle registrations, facility rent and usage fees, and office expenses in the operation of transportation services.

Expected outcomes include recruiting and training new Gadabout personnel while retaining existing staff in operations, fleet maintenance, and administration. The award also supports fleet maintenance training for new staff to increase bus availability and enable higher levels of service. Performance period runs through September 30, 2027. Work is performed in New York.

Activities

Provide FY2026 operating assistance to gadabout for payroll fuel expense fleet/business insurance fleet repair and maintenance fleet tire expenses DOT licensing expenses vehicle registrations facility rent/usage fees and office expenses in the operation of transportation services to older adults and people with disabilities.

Expected outcomes

Assist gadabouts paratransit operations by recruiting and training new personnel and retaining existing staff in operations fleet maintenance and administration. Improve bus maintenance by training new staff to increase the availability of buses to operate higher levels of public transit service.

Intended beneficiaries

Seniors and individuals with disabilities are the intended beneficiaries.

Subrecipient activities

Gadabout is a subrecipient of tompkins county.