NYSDOT Announces Recommendations for Federal Grant Awards for Bus Funding

• by New York State Department of Transportation

ALBANY, NY (12/11/2009)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee today announced the selection of the projects recommended for federal funding to purchase 188 accessible buses to support agencies that transport elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. The Department, which administers the program on behalf of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has submitted a total of 88 grant recommendations for review. Final approval of these grant recommendations is expected in early Spring, 2010.

"Assuring that New Yorkers with special needs have access to transit to make vital connections in their lives is of great importance," said Governor David A. Paterson. "These federal grants will enable us to support these transit services throughout New York State even during this time of belt-tightening in our current economy. I commend the New York State Department of Transportation and their many public and private partners in this initiative."

"Individuals with disabilities and seniors depend on transit to get from place to place, and the NYSDOT is committed to increasing access to transportation options to increase mobility, especially for these populations," Commissioner Gee said. "Many of our state's seniors, individuals with disabilities and others, in both cities and in rural areas, depend on public transit to meet their basic travel needs such as going to the grocery store, to medical appointments, visiting family and friends, and for recreational activities. These grants are targeted toward enhancing the quality of life for these populations throughout New York State."

Funding is provided through the FTA's Section 5310 program, which has been overseen by NYSDOT since 1974. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $170 million in aid to an estimated 460 grantees statewide, helping to purchase approximately 3,800 vehicles and providing more than 4.7 million trips annually.

Program funds cover 80 percent of the cost of buses for accepted applicants. Grantees are required to contribute the remaining 20 percent. In anticipation of program approval, NYSDOT has notified the recommended applicants of their estimated grants, pending ultimate approval from the FTA.

The program is open to private, non-profit organizations incorporated within New York State and public bodies that certify no non-profit corporations are readily available to provide services to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. Applications for funding are commonly distributed at the beginning of each calendar year.

Grant proposal evaluations are performed by the State's Interagency Review Committee, consisting of representatives of the following New York State agencies: Department of Transportation, Office for the Aging, Department of Health, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (if applicable), Office of Mental Health, the State Education Department's Office for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, Office of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Buses will be ordered once the grants are finalized in the Spring, and deliveries are expected to begin in 2010. In order to maintain the integrity of the program, recipients of funding are required to submit semi-annual reports demonstrating that vehicles are being used for their intended purpose. NYSDOT officials also conduct site visits to ensure appropriate vehicle use.

The following is a list of recommended applicants and estimated amount of funding through this program:

NYSDOT REGION 1 Capital Region TOTAL: $1,025,356

• Community Work & Independence, Warren County, $181,0126 for four vehicles
• Schenectady County NYSARC, Schenectady County, $77,643 for two vehicles
• Columbia County NYSARC, Columbia County, $217,544 for three vehicles
• Catholic Charities of Schenectady County, $31,728 for one vehicle
• Center for Disability Services, Albany County, $184,166 for four vehicles
• Colonie Senior Service Centers, Albany County, $63,016 for two vehicles
• Saratoga County NYSARC, Saratoga County, $270,133 for three vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 2 Mohawk Valley TOTAL: $634,624

• Oneida-Lewis Chapter NYSARC, Oneida County, $161,230 for two vehicles
• Herkimer County NYSARC, Herkimer County, $263,525 for three vehicles
• Senior Network Health, Oneida County, $31,888 for one vehicle
• Fulmont Community Action Agency, Fulton County, $74,403 for two vehicles
• Fulton County NYSARC, Fulton County, $40,121 for one vehicle
• Valley Health Services, Herkimer County, $63,456 for two vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 3 Central New York TOTAL: $690,614

• Gadabout Transportation Services, Tompkins County, $68,246 for two vehicles
• Seneca Cayuga County NYSARC, Seneca County, $126,032 for four vehicles
• Unity House of Cayuga County, $63,456 for two vehicles
• Transportation Project for Cayuga County, $66,123 for two vehicles
• St. Camillus Residential Health Care, Onondaga County, $69,486 for two vehicles
• Loretto Independent Living Services, Onondaga County, $160,886 for four vehicles
• Oswego County Opportunities, Oswego County, $136,384 for three vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 4 Central Northern Tier TOTAL: $1,197,070

• Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe, Monroe County, $138,803 for four vehicles
• Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Orleans County, $129, 664 for three vehicles
• St. Ann's Home for the Aged, Monroe County, $37,521 for one vehicle
• Community Place of Greater Rochester, Monroe County, $39,041 for one vehicle
• Ontario County NYSARC, Ontario County, $154,566 for four vehicles
• Geneva Nursing Home, Ontario County, $34,943 for one vehicle
• Livingston/Wyoming Chapter NYSARC, Livingston County, $146,846 for four vehicles
• Continuing Developmental Services, Monroe County, $78,043 for two vehicles;
• Lifetime Assistance, Monroe County, $112,444 for three vehicles;
• Heritage Christian Services, Monroe County, $31,936 for one vehicle;
• The Arc of Monroe County, $152,166 for four vehicles;
• Victor Association of Cultural & Performing Arts, Ontario County, $72,744 for two vehicles;
• Genesee County Nursing Home, Genesee County, $32,108 for one vehicle; and
• Park Ridge Nursing Home, Monroe County, $36,241 for one vehicle.

NYSDOT REGION 5 Western New York TOTAL: $1,045,094

• The Dale Association, Niagara County, $43,801 for one vehicle
• Cattaraugus Rehabilitation Center, Cattaraugus County, $181,990 for two vehicles
• Catholic Charities of Buffalo NY, Erie County, $37,701 for one vehicle
• Niagara County NYSARC, Niagara County, $92,003 for two vehicles
• Southeast Community Work Center, Erie County, $93,668 for three vehicles
• Erie Regional Housing Development Corp., Erie County, $70,806 for two vehicles
• Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Erie County, $105,669 for three vehicles
• Chautauqua County NYSARC, Chautauqua County, $158,166 for four vehicles
• TEAM Services, Chautauqua County, $79,083 for two vehicles
• Aspire of Western New York, Erie County, $119,164 for three vehicles
• Lord of Life Adult & Child Services, Erie County, $63,040 for two vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 6 Central Southern Tier TOTAL: $378,817

• Allegany County NYSARC, Allegany County, $75,403 for two vehicles
• Steuben County NYSARC, Steuben County, $265,453 for three vehicles
• Schuyler County NYSARC, Schuyler County, $37,961 for one vehicle
• NYSDOT REGION 7 North Country TOTAL: $242,160
• Jefferson Rehabilitation Center, Jefferson County, $43,221 for one vehicle
• Lewis County General Hospital, Lewis County, $35,375 for one vehicle
• Potsdam Area TRIAD, St. Lawrence County, $31,080 for one vehicle
• St. Lawrence County NYSARC, St. Lawrence County, $132,484 for three vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 8 Hudson Valley TOTAL: $600,562

• Ulster-Greene County NYSARC, Ulster County, $38,121 for one vehicle
• Richmond of NY, Westchester County, $110,565 for three vehicles
• Orange County NYSARC, Orange County, $70,864 for two vehicles
• Rockland County NYSARC, Rockland County, $95,456 for three vehicles
• Ability Beyond Disability, Westchester County, $37,921 for one vehicle
• Meals on Wheels Programs of Rockland County, $74,403 for two vehicles
• Occupations, Inc, Orange County, $173,230 for two vehicles
• NYSDOT REGION 9 Southern Tier TOTAL: $167,953
• Sheltered Workshop for the Disabled, Broome County, $63,016 for two vehicles
• Schoharie County NYSARC, Schoharie County, $104,937 for three vehicles

NYSDOT REGION 10 Long Island TOTAL: $892,443

• Long Beach Medical Center, Nassau County, $40,481 for one vehicle
• Community & Family Residences, Suffolk County, $125,556 for two vehicles
• Maryhaven Transportation Services, Suffolk County, $134,012 for two vehicles
• Independent Group Home Living Program, Suffolk County, $163,812 for four vehicles
• John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, Suffolk County, $31,668 for one vehicle
• Suffolk County NYSARC, Suffolk County, $177,790 for two vehicles
• Head Injury Association, Suffolk County, $71,886 for two vehicles
• Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Nassau County, $31,728 for one vehicle
• Federation of Organizations NYS Mentally Disabled, Suffolk County, $70,446 for two vehicles; and Our Lady of Consolation Nursing & Rehabilitative Center, Suffolk County, $45,061 for one vehicle

NYSDOT REGION 11 New York City TOTAL: $1,377,125

• Cerebral Palsy Transport, Queens County, $224,824 for three vehicles
• East New York Development Corporation, Kings County, $92,891 for one vehicle
• Lutheran Medical Center, Kings County, $35,223 for one vehicle
• United Cerebral Palsy of NYC, New York County, $63,360 for two vehicles
• Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults, Queens County, $70,750 for two vehicles
• Jewish Home & Hospital Bronx Division, Bronx County, $176,646 for four vehicles
• Urban Resource Institute, Kings County, $39,041 for one vehicle
• Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Richmond County, $84,643 for two vehicles
• Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care, Queens County, $40,743 for one vehicle
• The Institute of Applied Human Dynamics, Bronx County, $39,041 for one vehicle
• St. Vincent de Paul Residence, Bronx County, $72,355 for two vehicles;
• Community Agency for Senior Citizens, Richmond County, $71,344 for two vehiclE
• P.S.C.H., Inc, Queens County, $36,801 for one vehicle
• HANAC, Inc., Queens County, $63,016 for two vehicles
• Elmy's Special Services, Inc., Kings County, $63,016 for two vehicles
• Unique People Services, Bronx County, $95,444 for three vehicles
• Metropolitan NY Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty, Kings County, $75,316 for two vehicles

###