Politics & Government
ICYMI: Worcester Gets Piece of $9 Million for Transportation for Seniors, Disabled
Worcester was among the communities receiving part of $9 million in state and federal grant money for transportation improvements.
WORCESTER, MA—Worcester is among the communities getting a chunk of $9 million in state and federal grants for transit programs for seniors and those with disabilities.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced on Tuesday it awarded more than $9 million in FY2017 Community Transit Program Grants to support transit programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth.
The money is administered through MassDOT’s Rail & Transit Division and intended to fund the purchase of vans to transport seniors and individuals with disabilities, dispatch systems and coordination with human service providers to assist in getting riders to their destinations.
Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) received $45,000 in operational funds to support continued on-demand SCM Elderbus ReadyBus service in rural Southwest Worcester County Communities. WRTA also got $15,000 in operational funds to support continued SCM Elderbus mid-day shuttle service for seniors and disabled individuals within 21 Worcester County communities.
“The Community Transit Program Grants will improve transportation connectivity across the Commonwealth, including in rural communities where seniors and individuals with disabilities may have limited transportation choices to getting where they need to go,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Stephanie Pollack in a statement.
In total, 63 grants were awarded to 36 applicants. The application period ran from mid-January to mid-February and awards were made in June.
