Applications for the Senior/Disabled Transportation Grant Fund Program is now closed
The RTC announced a Call for Projects and accepted applications through August 18, 2025, for the public transit (sales tax) funding grant program to provide transportation for seniors and people with disabilities, as predicated by the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Program.
In response to a commonly expressed need from the community for desired funding flexibility, RTC is making the equivalent §5310 funding appropriations available in public transit (sales tax) funds for distribution to support local projects. This opportunity alleviates the more restrictive barriers required by federal funding regulations, and provides increased flexibility and operating dollars for local programs.
Under the federal 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, funding is restricted to a minimum of 55% toward eligible Capital projects. In support of stakeholder feedback, in place of federal dollars, RTC will allocate the equivalent federal 5310 funding appropriations in local sales tax dollars for local project distribution. This approach allows for the development of more viable and longer-term senior/disabled transportation projects, reduces the administrative burden and oversight of those programs, increases flexibility, and allows for other program efficiencies.
Call for Projects
This Call for Projects is for a two (2)-year funding agreement encompassing federal fiscal years 2026-2027. A maximum of $1,211,496 in sales tax funding is proposed and is based upon Federal Transit Administration (FTA) §5310 appropriations; future years’ funding levels in this program will be contingent upon FTA’s continuation of the 5310 program and continued 5310 funding appropriations.
Notice of Awards will be announced after September 12, 2025.
Transportation Projects currently funded by this program are listed below. Between October 2023 through September 2024, these projects provided approximately 21,595 trips, helping to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, these projects combined, served over 5,790 seniors/disabled individuals, assisted over 14,557 callers, and issued over 1,500 LYFT vouchers:
Selected Projects for FFY10.1.23-9.30.25 included:
- Access to Healthcare Network (AHN) ($438,060.61) – (Existing Program). Funds a two-year program effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2025 for the continued operation of AHN’s Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program including capital to continue the dispatch Transportation Hotline; plus direct operating costs associated with 2 full time drivers to provide a projected 15,152 non-emergency medical related transportation trips annually.
- Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4) ($136,717.40) – (Existing Program). Funds a one-year program effective October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 allowing AHN to fully exhaust all remaining previously awarded federal §5310 funding. Includes capital funding to continue user-side subsidy program to provide approximately 696 vouchers to disabled individuals and elders aged 60+, applied directly to a participant’s Lyft account; includes operating funds to support the voucher program. It is anticipated that this project will provide an estimated 5,568 trips annually.
- University of Nevada Reno, Senior Outreach Service (SOS) ($118,057) – (Existing Program). Funds a one-year program effective October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 allowing SOS to fully exhaust all remaining previously awarded federal §5310 funding. This project provides transportation services for adults over 60 years old who are frail, homebound and low-income residents of Washoe County with limited access to other transportation options. Transportation will be provided by trained volunteer drivers utilizing their personal vehicles, and a paid part-time employee expanding the use of a currently owned wheelchair-accessible vehicle. An estimated 1,920 trips are projected to be provided annually which is a projected increase of 25%, as the agency still recovers from COVID.
- Volunteers of America (VOA) ($63,612.50) – (Existing Program). Funds a one-year program effective October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 allowing VOA to fully exhaust all remaining previously awarded federal §5310 funding. This project provides direct operating funds to provide transportation specifically for senior/disabled clients at its Nevada CARES Campus and Shelter. Vital transportation for shelter clients is provided M-Sat 8a-7p to services at the DMV, Social Security, St. Mary’s and Renown Hospitals, WellCare, West Hills Hospital, Reno Behavioral Health, Northern Nevada Hopes, Community Health Alliance, and Reno Housing Authority among others. Transportation is provided free of charge and assists clients with specific appointment drop/off and pick-ups for medical appointments, employment interviews and housing opportunities. This essential service is making the impossible possible by removing transportation as a barrier. An estimated 6,250 trips are projected to be provided annually to an estimated 3,300 seniors and individuals with disabilities.
