Governor Evers awards nearly $4 million to local transit services

Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced that local transit services for seniors and those with disabilities will receive nearly $4 million in state and federal funds.

“Fixing our roads and ensuring everyone has access to safe, reliable transportation is an essential part of our economic recovery efforts from this pandemic,” Governor Tony Evers said. “The grants announced today build on our efforts to ensure transportation opportunities across our state.”

“We are pleased to support organizations that provide basic mobility all across Wisconsin,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Through this program, we are helping to get people, wherever they live in our state, to medical appointments, work, school and family.”

The $3,990,287 administered by WisDOT through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program will go to 50 agencies in Wisconsin. The WisDOT Specialized Transportation website lists all grants for 2022.

The program grants are awarded to assist local public bodies and private, non-profit agencies with providing transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Such services include mobility management, operating assistance and vehicle purchases.

Under federal transportation law, the cities of Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton and Green Bay administer the federal 5310 program for their geographic areas. They coordinate with WisDOT to ensure continuity of the application and project selection process. WisDOT continues to administer the specialized transportation program for the rural and smaller urban areas of the state.

The federal and state program, initiated in the mid-1970s, has helped fund the purchase of more than 2,200 vehicles in Wisconsin to provide transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. In addition, approved projects for 2022 include funding for 14 mobility management projects to help coordinate transportation services, increase transportation capacity and connect individuals with transportation services in their geographic service area. An additional 19 operating assistance grants will help organizations defray costs.  Many of the grant recipients serve smaller communities in rural areas.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.