Grants
Funding transportation projects that serve older adults and people with disabilities
Public notice regarding grant availability:
Cherriots administers three grants for transportation projects that serve older adults and people with disabilities in Marion and Polk counties. Funding comes from two different sources: the State Special Transportation Fund (STF) and Federal Section 5310 funds passed through the Oregon Department of Transportation (5310 (ODOT)). 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 application processes are documented in the Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan (The Coordinated Plan), dated September 2019. Details such as eligible applicants, eligible projects, and project selection criteria can be found in the application instructions when they become available. Click on the tabs below for details regarding each grant application.
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, 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 local match for federally funded projects.
STF grants are available every two years. The current biennial cycle ends on June 30, 2021. Full details of the process including applications, instructions, and dates/times of the public meetings are below.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021.
ODOT estimates there to be $1,992,724 available to Cherriots for the 2021-2023 biennium. The selection criteria and processes are available in the application instructions provided with the applications.
Funds are limited. A grant training session will be held on Dec. 15, 2020, to assist any applicants in the application process. There will be no in-person gathering for this meeting. To register for the virtual training session, assistance with the application process, or more information, contact Jolene White at jolene.white@cherriots.org or by calling 503-361-7521.
Public testimony about projects will be accepted at the Cherriots STF Advisory Committee meetings.
Special Transportation Fund Program Guidebook
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.
Cherriots is the agency responsible for distributing formula allocations for projects located within Marion and Polk counties for Section 5310 funds passed through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). This program funds eligible capital, contracted service, and preventive maintenance projects for transportation providers serving seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Through the Jobs and Transportation Act (JTA), ODOT has supplemented Federal Transit Administration (FTA) §5310 funds with flexible Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding. In recent years, as much as 88% of §5310 funding distributed by the state was due to ODOT STP funds transferred to the FTA §5310 Program.
ODOT’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 dated September 2019 (“The Coordinated Plan”).
ODOT estimates the amount of Section 5310 dollars to be $2,132,664 for the 2021-2023 biennium. A local funding match is required for 5310 grants through ODOT at the rate of 10.27% for capital, contracted service, and preventive maintenance projects. A match of 50% is necessary for projects funding operations costs.
Local match must be provided from sources other than Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) funds. Farebox revenue may not be used as 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, physical improvements, and computer workstation hardware and software.
Applications for the 2021-2023 biennium are found below. Paper copies will not be accepted. Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Jan. 6, 2021, to be considered.
Public testimony about projects will be accepted at the Cherriots STF Advisory Committee meetings.
Funds are limited. A grant training session will be held on Dec. 15, 2020, to assist any applicants in the application process. There will be no in-person gathering for this meeting. To register for the virtual training session, receive assistance with the application process, or for more information, contact Jolene White at jolene.white@cherriots.org or by calling 503-361-7521.
2021-23 Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF)
Formula Solicitation Information
The 2021-23 STIF Formula Guidance and Application Instructions document is now available on both the ODOT Public Transportation Division (PTD) funding opportunities website and the STIF website. Links to the new STIF Plan application and Public Transportation Service Provider (PTSP) project application are provided in the document, but can also be accessed directly using these links:
While not required, the PTSP project application is a helpful tool that allows PTSPs to submit project information directly to their Qualified Entity (QE). STIF Plans for the upcoming biennium must be submitted to the Agency no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2021.
Please be aware of this new information regarding STIF Formula funding availability:
In the submitted 2021-23 Agency Requested Budget, the Public Transportation Division proposed a continued transfer of STIF revenues to the Special Transportation Fund (STF) in 2021-23 to maintain STF funding consistent with 2019-21 levels. The current estimated need for a 2021-23 transfer from STIF to STF is approximately $4.4M, of which $4M is from STIF Formula. Qualified Entities should be aware that this proposed transfer is not final until it is approved during the legislative budget process in the 2021 legislative session. The assumed transfer is included in the STIF revenue projection for planning purposes.
For more information on 2021-23 STIF Formula solicitation materials, please contact Maggie Charles, STIF Formula Program Coordinator, at Maggie.Charles@odot.state.or.us.