Formula Grant KS2023004

APPLICATION PURPOSE: FUNDING REQUESTED IS FOR THE FEDERAL ALLOCATION FROM SECTION 5307 ARP FUNDING FEDERAL YEAR 2021. FUNDS WILL LAPSE SEPTEMBER 30 2024.. WE ARE REQUESTING THE TOTAL OF $372388 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPLEMENTING INCREASED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONNEL RELATED EXPENSES CAUSED BY THE HIGH RATES OF INFLATION IN CY 2021 AND 2022. THE AGENCY HAS HAD TO INCREASE THE COSTS OF STARTING WAGES IN ORDER TO ADJUST MINIMUM WAGES PAID TO BUS OPERATORS AND DISPATCHERS IN ORDER TO HIRE AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF. FUNDING THE OPERATIONAL RELATED COSTS FOR THE 5307 TRANSIT PROGRAM IN THE MANHATTAN URBANIZED AREA. TRANSIT SERVICES INCLUDE FIXED ROUTE COMPLIMENTARY PARA TRANSIT AND GENERAL DEMAND RESPONSE SERVICES. FHATA UNDERSTANDS THAT THESE FUNDS CANNOT BE USED AS LOCAL MATCHING FOR OTHER FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATIONS.; ACTIVITIES PERFORMED: THE GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FUND 5307 TRANSIT OPERATIONS IN THE MANHATTAN URBANIZED AREA AS WELL AS USE OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM. ACTIVITIES ARE DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL IN EACH PROJECT PLAN HOWEVER THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT PERSONNEL WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR FHATA OPERATIONS. THE AGENCY HAS EXPERIENCED INCREASES IN COST OF OVER 7-10% IN PERSONNEL COSTS WHILE LOCAL MATCH FUNDING HAS REMAINED STAGNANT. THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT THE INCREASE IN COSTS.WE WILL NOT BE UTILIZED A FORCE ACCOUNT LABOR FOR ANY ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAM.THE RECIPIENT AGREES THAT IF IT RECEIVED FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) OR THROUGH A PASS-THROUGH ENTITY THROUGH THE ROBERT T STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT A DIFFERENT FEDERAL AGENCY OR INSURANCE PROCEEDS FOR ANY PORTION OF A PROJECT ACTIVITY APPROVED BY FTA FUNDING UNDER THIS GRANT AGREEMENT IT WILL PROVIDE NOTIFICATION TO FTA AND REIMBURSE FTA FOR ANY FEDERAL SHARE THAT DUPLICATES FUNDING PROVIDED BY FEMA ANOTHER FEDERAL AGENCY OR AN INSURANCE COMPANY.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE AGENCY HAS STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN AND COMPETE FOR QUALIFIED BUS OPERATORS AND DISPATCHERS AND IN EFFORTS TO HIRE ADEQUATE STAFFING THE AGENCY HAS INCREASED MINIMUM STARTING WAGES FROM $14.00 TO $16.50. IN ADDITION EXISTING STAFF WERE PROVIDED WAGE ADJUSTMENTS TO HELP WITH THE INCREASED COST OF LIVING CAUSE BY HIGH RATES OF INFLATION. THE FUNDS WILL ALLOW THE AGENCY TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR BUS OPERATORS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER TRANSIT OPERATORS IN THE AREA AS WELL AS OTHER BUSINESSES.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE GOAL OF THE FUNDS WILL ALLOW THE AGENCY TO RETAIN AND HIRE QUALIFIED STAFF IN EFFORTS TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES IN THE MANHATTAN URBAN AREA. IMPROVING SERVICES WILL IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR SERVICES PROVIDE A FASTER AND INCREASE FREQUENCY FOR OUR RIDERS AND POSSIBLY INCREASE HOURS OF OPERATIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NOT APPLICABLE NO SUBRECIPIENTS PLANNED.