ODOT Transit program provides
Vital mobility for elderly and disabled

COLUMBUS (Friday, November 5, 2010) – As the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues its mission to increase mobility for all Ohioans, the Office of Transit is extending a hand to the elderly and individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to quality transportation choices.

ODOT's Office of Transit announces the deadline for its 2011 Specialized Transportation Program (STP) – which provides funding for vital transportation for medical appointments, access to employment, grocery shopping, banking, and the many other services within a community that are critical to a healthy lifestyle and well-being.

"These federal transit funds offer those who lack transportation options access to vital goods, services and employment opportunities," said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, who added that more than $3.2 million in federal transit funds were awarded in FY 2010 to 60 agencies to purchase 100 new vehicles and other mobility services.

The Specialized Transportation Program funds are allocated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which authorizes capital grants to private nonprofit agencies or state approved coordination projects that meet the special transportation needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities where existing transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.

The Specialized Transportation Program funds are specifically for the purchase of new or upgraded vehicles which are wheelchair accessible, specialized computer software and other mobility management services.

For those agencies interested in participating in the program, the Letter of Intent form must be submitted by November 30, 2010 to the Office of Transit. Those agencies which submit their Letter of Intent and are approved will then receive an application packet by December 15, 2010.

All program information may be downloaded from the ODOT Office of Transit website at: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Transit/Pages/Specialized.aspx.