This application is for the FFY 2024 section 5310: enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities program funding in the amount of $849052 in federal dollars for total project cost of…

This is a $1,075,160 Formula Grant award from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (CFDA 20.513). The grant will fund a range of capital projects and operating assistance in the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area, including:

• $321,542 for the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) to replace 2 buses and expand paratransit services
• $275,000 for CARTA to purchase transportation services to expand demand response services
• $25,000 for the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) to continue a mobility management program
• $52,000 for Berkeley Citizens Inc. to provide transportation for clients with disabilities
• $20,000 for the Trident United Way to conduct regional mobility management services
• $95,985 for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health to provide transportation to medical appointments

The grant aims to supplement existing public transportation, improve mobility, and address the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Charleston region. The award was made on January 17, 2025.

Activities

The application is comprised of funding sub-awards to the following agencies for operating assistance and/or capital projects. Activities to be performed and agencies are as follows: -$401928 total project $321542 in federal funding will be used by the charleston area regional transportation authority as capital funding for vehicle replacement activities (1E/1G- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$343750 total project $275000 in federal funding will be used by the charleston area regional transportation authority as capital funding for purchase of service to expand demand response services (2A- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 31250 total project $ 25000 in federal funding will be used by the berkeley-charleston-dorchester council of governments (BCDCOG) for capital funding to continue a mobility management program (1F- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 50250 total project $ 25125 in federal funding will be used by the charleston dorchester mental health center as operating assistance to provide transportation to medial appointments (2C- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 65000 total project $ 52000 in federal funding will be used by berkeley citizens INC. As capital funding for purchase of service to provide transport for clients with disabilities (1E- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 25000 total project $ 20000 in federal funding will be used by the trident united way as capital funding for mobility management activities (1F- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$119982 total project $ 95985 in federal funding will be used by the disabilities board of charleston county as capital funding for vehicle acquisition activities (1A- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 18000 total project $ 14400 in federal funding will be used by the association for the blind as capital funding to provide travel training to visually impaired client to access public transit (2B 2C- eligible project type from coordination plan).-$ 20000 total project $ 20000 in federal funding will be used by the BCDCOG for capital funding to conduct program administration (1F- eligible project type from coordination plan).the total capital cost is $803927 or 94.7%. The operating assistance total is $25125 or 3.0%. Traditional section 5310 projects (minimum 55% must be spent of traditional) is 95% of the funds applied for. While non-traditional 5310 is 3% (nontraditional/new freedom may be up to 45%) of the funds awarded. $20000 or 2.4% of the apportionment will be applied towards program/state administration (100% federal share).BCDCOG certifies that the goals and objectives set to identify the projects were derived from the human services coordination plan and all grants were selected among all human service providers in the local area within each district. BCDCOG certifies that all vehicles purchased are accessible purchased from an FTA approved TVM and reported to FTA within 30 days after contract is signed. BCDCOG will check the current listing of transit vehicle manufacturers (TVM) to ensure each is listed as a certified TVM in compliance with FTA regulations.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit the subrecipient agencies to continue to provide transportation services to the target population. Vehicle replacement and expansion of service will maintain federally-funded equipment in a state of good repair and allow additional seniors and individuals with disabilities access to services.

Intended beneficiaries

The subrecipient agencies and their customers that rely on transit service will benefit from continued services. Having well maintained reliable transit infrastructure will help ensure safe dependable and accessible services a permitting workers to get to work and further economic productivity in the community.

Subrecipient activities

Activities encompass operating assistance purchase of service and vehicle replacement projects to the named subrecipients in this application.