On may 28 2026 the MPO policy committee approved three (3) vehicles to be purchased with FY 2024 section 5310 funds

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Central Midlands Council of Governments $925,767 on August 25, 2026, under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (CFDA 20.513) to purchase three new ADA-accessible vehicles and support coordinated transportation services.

Babcock Center will receive the three vehicles to expand services for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority will coordinate mobility management and purchase of service to integrate the vehicles into the Midlands Catch A Ride Network, a coordinated transportation initiative operating in Richland and Lexington Counties in partnership with FEONIX – Mobility Rising, COMET, local healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community-based organizations. The network addresses transportation barriers that prevent access to medical appointments, pharmacy services, senior centers, employment, education, food, social services, and other essential destinations for older adults and individuals with disabilities across urban and suburban/rural areas.

The award obligates $925,767 with a period of performance through March 30, 2040, and place of performance in South Carolina. Central Midlands Council of Governments will follow third-party procurement policies and ensure contractors are not listed on the FTA suspension and debarment list. Projects derive from the locally coordinated human services transportation plan, approved by the MPO Policy Committee on May 28, 2026, in response to a call for projects issued April 20, 2026.

Activities

Purchased of new ADA accessible vehicles to serve and continue to expand services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.*the midlands catch a ride network is a coordinated transportation initiative led by feonix - mobility rising in collaboration with the comet local healthcare providers social service agencies community-based organizations and private-sector transportation providers. The project focuses on older adults and individuals with disabilities in richland and lexington counties by reducing transportation barriers that impede access to healthcare food employment education social services and other essential destinations.

Expected outcomes

Acquisition of three new ADA accessible vehicles. Transportation services include medical appointments pharmacy assistance senior centers and other trips.*this initiative strengthens the regions mobility ecosystem by integrating community-based staffing accessible technology and multimodal transportation options tailored to the diverse needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities in both urban and suburban/rural areas where transportation gaps persist.

Intended beneficiaries

The elderly and individuals with disabilities.

Subrecipient activities

Babcock center -vehicle purchasecentral midlands regional transit authority - purchase of service