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FTA announces $3.5M in Grants for Innovative Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

Grants fund projects that improve access to key services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income communities

Via Transportation •

On October 7, 2021, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced $3.5M in grant funding for the latest round of the Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility (ICAM) program. These grants support pilot projects that will improve options for people with limited transportation choices and bridge the gap between service providers in the transportation and health sectors. The program aims to increase collaboration and coordination between service providers while testing new technologies, such as on-demand transportation and mobile transit applications. Eligible applicants include state departments of transportation (DOTs), recipients of 5310 funding, and other regional and local governments. Applicants must represent a regional or statewide coalition of stakeholders across healthcare, transportation, human services, or other sectors. The federal cost share is 80% for this program and grants average around $100,000 to $300,000. 

ICAM projects typically focus on testing out software platforms that can improve transit access and quality of service for seniors and disadvantaged populations. The Via team has worked with a number of partners on innovative NEMT and paratransit programs. 

In Bakersfield, Via provides Golden Empire Transit (GET) with an integrated solution for managing its microtransit, paratransit, and NEMT services in one single platform. Prior to partnering with Via, GET leveraged multiple software systems to power its paratransit and microtransit services and did not offer any NEMT service. Further, paratransit riders could only reserve rides at least one day in advance. Now with Via, riders have the ability to book same-day or pre-scheduled paratransit, NEMT, and microtransit trips. If you’re interested in exploring Via’s on-demand technology as part of your ICAM grant application, please reach out to partnerships@ridewithvia.com.

We’d love to help you through the application process and on the project itself. Applications are due on December 6th.  

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