Greater Rochester agencies to receive grants for buses

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has recommended 10 Greater Rochester not-for-profit agencies to receive $645,774 in federal transportation funds to help purchase 19 buses to serve the area elderly and disabled.

The successful applicants include:

• Continuing Developmental Services, Inc. - Monroe County - $78,091 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Orleans Community Action Committee, Inc. - Orleans County - $72,011 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Ontario County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. - $71,344 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. - $70,560 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Genesee County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. - $70,560 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Lifetime Assistance, Inc. - Monroe County - $70,080 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• The Arc of Monroe County, Chapter NYSARC, Inc. - $66,048 to purchase two, 24-passenger buses;
• Livingston-Wyoming Chapter NYSARC, Inc. - $63,280 to purchase two, 20-passenger buses;
• Heritage Christian Home, Inc. - Monroe County - $57,400 to purchase two, 12-passenger buses; and
• Epilepsy Association of Greater Rochester - Monroe County - $26,400 to purchase one, 12-passenger bus.

The funds will be provided through the federal Section 5310 program, which provides not-for-profit corporations and public bodies the opportunity to obtain funding at an 80 percent match to purchase buses to provide transportation services to local elderly and disabled citizens. The program is administered by NYSDOT for the Federal Transit Administration. Currently, more than 825 buses funded in part by Section 5310 are in service, providing more than 4.6 million trips annually.

Applications for Section 5310 funding are reviewed by NYSDOT, members of other New York state agencies, and in communities where applicable, by the 12 metropolitan planning organizations throughout the state.

Final approval for the grants is expected at the end of the calendar year. Buses will be ordered early next year and deliveries are expected through the summer and fall of next year.