BATON ROUGE, La. – The Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that public bodies and local organizations may apply for funding available through the Federal Transportation Administration’s (FTA) transportation grant programs. All minority transportation organizations are encouraged to apply. The transportation grant programs available are listed below:

• New Freedom Formula Grant Program (5317) aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. Public bodies are eligible recipients for operating and capital assistance. The New Freedom Program provides 50% federal funds for operating and 80% federal funds for capital assistance. Contact Program Manager Kay Ryall for more information at (225) 379-3058, or at kay.ryall@la.gov.
  
• Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program (5316) was established to address the unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to obtain and maintain employment. Public bodies are eligible recipients for operating assistance. The Job Access Reverse Commute Program provides 50% federal funds for operating assistance. Contact Program Manager Kay Ryall for more information at (225) 379-3058, or at kay.ryall@la.gov.
  
• Rural Transit Assistance Program (5311) provides a source of funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas. Public bodies are eligible recipients for operating and capital assistance. The Rural Program provides 50% federal funds for operating and 80% federal funds for capital assistance. Contact Program Manager Casey Lewis for more information at (225) 379-3064, or at casey.lewis@la.gov.
  
• Intercity Bus Program, Section 5311(f) provides a source of funding to support the connection between two or more urban areas not in close proximity and between rural areas and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus service; to support service to meet the intercity travel needs of residents in rural areas; and to support the infrastructure of the intercity bus network through planning and marketing assistance and capital investment and facilities. Applications are being accepted for intercity bus projects with priority given to service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans with stops in rural areas. Only public bodies are eligible recipients for operating and capital assistance. The Section 5311 (f) provides 50% federal funds for operating assistance and 80% federal funds for capital assistance. Contact Program Manager Michelle Horne for more information at (225) 379-3057, or at michelle.horne@la.gov.
  
• Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Program (5310) provides formula funding to states for the purpose of capital assistance to private non-profit groups and certain public entities in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate in meeting these needs. The Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities Program provides 80% federal funds for capital assistance. Contact Program Manager Mike Watts for more information at (225) 379-3062, or at mike.watts@la.gov.

Applications can be downloaded by visiting www.dotd.louisiana.gov/intermodal/transit. For any questions or to request a copy of the application, contact the DOTD Public Transportation Section at (225) 379-3060. Applications should be submitted to:

LA Department of Transportation & Development
Public Transportation/Section 81, East Wing 5th floor
1201 Capitol Access
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

The deadline to submit an application is Monday, February 3, 2014. Applications received after that deadline will not be considered for a 2014 FTA Assistance Grant.