Three local public transportation programs geared to helping older adults, those with disabilities and low-income individuals are among 44 organizations statewide to share in state grants.
Merrimack Valley Transit, or MeVa; Northern Essex Elder Transport; and Groveland Council on Aging were formally awarded grants Wednesday from the state’s Community Transit Grant Program. The money helps regional transit authorities, communities and nonprofits provide rides for people who would otherwise be unable to get to medical appointments and the like.
“We are pleased to see such a variety of initiatives aimed at improving transit services, including travel training for individuals in need of assistance, services for older riders and the expansion of existing offerings,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Efforts like these greatly contribute to making our transportation network more accessible and equitable.”
MeVa Transit was awarded $138,400 to provide training for human service agencies on MeVa’s fixed route and paratransit services, while Northern Essex Elder Transport is receiving $100,000 to pay for a volunteer driver program serving 13 Councils on Aging and the Groveland Council on Aging was granted $5,000 to purchase fuel and pay for repairs for a Council on Aging van.
The state Department of Transportation received 79 applications from 59 organizations with a total request of more than $14 million.
Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger noted, “The need for these transportation investments is clear given how many of our partners competed for funding to enhance services for travelers who rely on transit to get to their medical appointments, jobs, grocery shopping and community and social gatherings.”
The state ended up giving a total of $5.8 million to 44 organizations for 56 projects.