BATON ROUGE – Johnny B. Bradberry, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), announced today that private, non-profit organizations and certain public entities may apply for funds from DOTD for the purchase of vehicles to provide transportation for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Only those organizations that already provide transportation services will be considered for funding assistance. All minority transportation organizations are encouraged to apply.

            Organizations seeking these funds must submit a letter to DOTD’s Public Transportation Section by Monday, August 30, 2004, requesting a Section 5310 Application. The request letter should be sent to: Harold Beck, Program Manager, LA Department of Transportation & Development, Public Transportation Section, Airport, Room 138, P.O. Box 94245, Baton Rouge, LA, 70804-9245.

            Upon receipt of request, an application and a procedures manual will be forwarded to the organization. The application submission deadline is Tuesday, February 1, 2005. Applications received after that deadline will not be considered for a 2005 Capital Assistance Grant.

            Questions may be directed to DOTD’s Public Transportation Section at (225) 274-4305.