Section 5310 Program

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Program Overview
The goal of the Section 5310 Program is to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding the transportation mobility options available. The program provides financial assistance for transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities, including:

  • Public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable;
  • Public transportation projects that exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
  • Public transportation projects that improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance on complementary paratransit and
  • Alternatives to public transportation projects that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities and with transportation.
Eligible Applicants
  • Private non-profit corporations (Traditional and Enhanced projects)
  • Public agencies where no private non-profits are readily available to provide the proposed service (Traditional projects)
  • Public agencies that have been approved by the State to coordinate services (Traditional projects)
  • All public agencies and operators of public transportation services (Enhanced projects)
  • Indian Tribal Governments (Traditional and Enhanced projects)
Solicitation

Solicitation begins with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announcing the availability of funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310).   NYSDOT and NYMTC then work closely to identify selected applicants.

The projects receiving assistance under this opportunity must be included in a Coordinated Human Service and Public Transportation Plan (CHSPTP) and coordinate with other federally assisted programs to ensure efficient use of Federal funds.  

Evaluation and Selection 

M5 Bus

Completed applications are provided by NYSDOT to the MPOs who provide support with evaluation and scoring.  A rating and ranking committee comprised of NYMTC's members evaluates the projects and NYMTC’s PFAC adopts the final selections which can then be amended into the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  

Other Provisions
  • Local share may be derived from other federal (non-DOT) transportation sources or the Federal Lands Highways Program under 23 U.S.C. 204.
  • Recipients must certify that projects selected are included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. The plan must undergo a development and approval process that includes seniors and people with disabilities, transportation providers, among others, and is coordinated to the maximum extent possible with transportation services assisted by other federal departments and agencies. (See Appendix E of Moving Forward 2055)
  • Permits acquisition of public transportation services as a capital expense.
  • Up to 10% of program funds can be used to administer the program, to plan, and to provide technical assistance.

Technical Assistance, Support and Resources

New York State Department of Transportation administers the Section 5310 Program including solicitations.  For more information on the application process, FAQs, and contact information visit:    

NYSDOT's Section 5310 Program Page
Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Section 5310 Program Page