Your web browser is out of date, some parts of this website may not function properly.

Update your browser now

×

Grants

Funding transportation projects that serve older adults and people with disabilities

Cherriots administers three grants for transportation projects that serve older adults and people with disabilities in Marion and Polk counties. Funding comes from three different sources: the State Special Transportation Fund (STF), Federal Section 5310 funds passed through the Oregon Department of Transportation (5310(ODOT)), and Federal Section 5310 funds that come directly to Cherriots from the Federal Transit Administration (5310(FTA)). Cherriots is the STF Agency for Marion and Polk Counties, and as such, the District screens the projects that go to ODOT and FTA for final approval. The three grants are governed by the ODOT State Management Plan and the Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan (The Coordinated Plan), dated September 2019. The 5310(FTA) grant follows the process and procedures outlined in the Program Management Plan for the Salem and Keizer Urbanized Area’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (PMP).

Details such as eligible applicants, eligible projects, and project selection criteria can be found in the application instructions below. View each section below for details regarding each grant type and available application forms.

Section 5310(FTA) Grants

Title 49 USC Section 5310 authorizes the formula assistance program for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program and provides formula funds to designated recipients to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

SAMTD is a designated recipient of Section 5310 funds (5310(FTA)) for the Salem-Keizer urban area, and is responsible for soliciting for projects on an annual basis. 5310(FTA) funds can be used for public transportation projects serving seniors and individuals with disabilities within the Salem-Keizer urban growth boundary only. The appropriation for Fiscal Year 2020 is $240,112. Matching local funds are required for this grant. The match ratio is dependent on the type of project proposed. Local matches must be provided from sources other than Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) funds. Farebox revenue may not be used as a local match. Farebox revenue is considered income and is deducted from total operating cost to determine the net cost of the activity. The use of a non-cash local match is allowable and can include volunteer transportation program services and physical improvements.

SAMTD’s 5310 program requires that all projects selected for award address at least one need or strategy identified in the Cherriots Coordinated Public Transportation – Human Services Transportation Plan (The Coordinated Plan) dated September 2019. A list of eligible projects can be found in the tables of Chapter 6, beginning on p. 54.

During two public meetings, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will review and rank applications for 5310 dollars, and the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee (STFAC) will review grant proposals and make a project priority ranking recommendation to the SAMTD Board. There will be time for public testimony at the TAC and STFAC meetings.

Special Transportation Fund Grants

The Special Transportation Fund (STF) Program provides a flexible, coordinated, reliable, and continuing source of revenue in support of transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities of any age. The Oregon Legislature intended that STF funds be used to provide transportation services needed to access health services, education, work, and social/recreational opportunities so that seniors and people with disabilities may live as independently and productively as possible. The funds may be used for any purpose directly related to transportation services, including transit operations, capital equipment, planning, travel training, and other transit-related purposes. These funds will be awarded to applicants within Cherriots STF region (Marion and Polk Counties). There are no local match requirements for STF awards. STF dollars may be used as a local match for federally funded projects.

STF grants are available every two years. The current biennial cycle ends on June 30, 2021. Applications for STF grants are currently closed. Applications will be available in December 2021 for the 2021-2023 biennium.