October 9, 2023
Source: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
To promote equity in public transportation, FTA has issued a Dear Colleague Letter [PDF] to highlight FTA grant programs that can be used to provide paratransit service to eligible riders on a real-time basis and/or allow for intermediate stops.
While next-day, advanced reservation service is the minimum requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for ADA complementary paratransit, FTA grant recipients have the option to provide more flexible paratransit service based on community needs. As the letter explains, funding through Urbanized Area Formula Grants (Section 5307), Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311), and Buses and Bus Facilities (Section 5339) programs can be used to support local decisions to provide real-time paratransit and/or allow for intermediate stops.
Related Links:
Dear Colleague Letter [PDF]
Link: transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2023-09/Dear-Colleague-Letter-FTA-Highlights-Grant-Programs-that-Support-Real-time-ADA-Paratransit-Service.pdf
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations
Link: transit.dot.gov/ADA
News source: transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/dear-colleague-letters/dear-colleague-letter-fta-highlights-grant-programs
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