Southern Tier agencies for disabled get transportation funds

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. ( WETM ) — Southern Tier agencies that help people with disabilities will get federal funding to improve transportation.

Governor Kathy Hohul’s Office announced that a total of $52.1 million will be going to 133 initiatives across New York State, and a couple of agencies that support people in the Southern Tier will benefit from this. The grants are expected to enhance the mobility of older people and people with disabilities.

“Access to quality transportation makes a significant difference in daily lives by allowing people to get to work, go shopping, or obtain medical care, and we must do all we can to ensure that it’s available to all New Yorkers,” said Hochul. “Thanks to this assistance from the Biden-Harris Administration, we can help expand transportation options for older citizens and people with disabilities, making it easier for them to get where they need to go safely and affordably, and improving their quality of life.”

Of the 133 projects that will receive funding under this announcement, 86 of them are for purchasing accessible buses. The Arc of Chemung-Schuyler and Pathways , which provides services to the Southern Tier, Figer Lakes, and Rochester areas, are both getting money to buy new or replacement buses to deliver specialized services. Pathways will get $431,260, and the Arc is getting two grants: one for $115,035.80 and another for $76,409.

The tax funds used for these grants are from the Federal Transit Administration and will be administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. The grants were competitive, and the amount of money each agency was awarded was based on the amount of the country’s older and disabled populations that live in the agencies’ areas. Grant recipients must match 20 or 50% of the federal funding for their project, depending on the nature of the project.

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