Job Access-Reverse Commute (20.516)
Program
20.516 Job Access-Reverse Commute
Federal Agency
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Section 3037, 49 U.S.C. 5309 note.
Program Number
20.516
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide competitive grants to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and designated recipients of Federal transit funding to develop transportation services to connect welfare recipients and low-income persons to employment and support services. Job Access grants will be for capital projects, to finance operating costs of equipment, facilities and associated support costs related to providing access to jobs. The Reverse Commute grants will assist in funding the costs associated with adding reverse commute bus, train, carpool or service from urban areas, urbanized areas, and areas other than urbanized areas to suburban work places.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The funds are to be used for delivery of services. The funds are not to be used for planning or coordination.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State and local government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and transit providers.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Low income individuals; individuals traveling to suburans work plans.
Credentials/Documentation
The applications submitted must contain a description of the applicant organizational capacity to perform the project, documentation of matching funds, a regional job access and reverse commute plan, transit operator concurrence, and State concurrence to amend the State Transportation Improvement Program (for areas with populations below 50,000).
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applicants must coordinate with: the State or local agencies that administer the State program funded under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act, public housing agencies, the community to be served, and other stakeholders. The program is covered under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit an original and two copies of their application to the appropriate FTA Regional Office. Additionally, applicants must submit an electronic copy via E-mail to the FTA at: JobAccess@fta.dot.gov or on a 3.5 formatted disk. This program is subject to the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 18 and 19.
Award Procedure
The Administrator of FTA makes the final project approval decision. FTA is responsible for notifying the recipients of selections. Release of funding is dependent upon Department of Labor certification.
Deadlines
Proposals must have been submitted by June 7, 2002 for FY 2002 and 2003 funding. Grant selections were published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2002. All FY 2003 funds were earmarked by Congress and published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2003. New deadlines will be established based on annual the annual appropriation process.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
A 50 percent non-DOT match is required. Certain other Federal funds may be use for this match.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Generally 1 year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
As requested by FTA. Electronic reporting is encouraged.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities (including universities) that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year with certain exceptions as stated in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all grant products, financial records, and supporting documents.
Program Accomplishments
Job Access and reverse Commute services in 45 States and the District of Columbia have been funded through more than 300 grants and grant amendments.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1125-0-1-401.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $70,988,000; FY 03 $149,212,000; and FY 04 est $212,352,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$23,550 to $1,500,000. Average: $356,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
See FTA website, www.fta.dot.gov. Hard copies are available upon request.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog Appendix for listing of Federal Transit Administration regional offices.
Headquarters Office
Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Office of Program Managemnet, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9315, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-2053. Sue Masselink, Office of Program Management. Telephone: (202) 366-1630.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Projects funded include Extended service hours, new demand, responsive service, fixed route extensions, emergency childcare transportation, guaranteed ride home programs, and additional bus lines.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Section 3037(f) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century states factors that must be considered in awarding grants under this program. Proposals must also meet legal and administrative requirements, available on the FTA web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov.
