Tag Archive for: transportation

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $15.6 Million for Fully Accessible Transit Vans for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

/in /by

This article was originally published on Healthy Aging Collaborative.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a total of over $15.6 million through MassDOT’s FY26 Community Transit Grant Program (CTGP) for municipalities, Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities, and nonprofit organizations towards fully accessible vans and minivans to enhance mobility for older adults and people with disabilities as part of a celebration held at the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission in Leominster. These grants, which total $15,661,986, will enable 27 organizations to purchase a total of 131 vehicles.

The full list of recipients can be found here.

MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division operates the Community Transit Grant Program annually. In addition to the vehicle cycle, organizations can also apply for operating and mobility management projects. The FY26 CTGP operating and mobility management awards were announced on March 20.

Applicants can request a range of minivans and cutaway vehicles varying in size to accommodate fleet needs. All models are wheelchair-accessible. Vehicles available through this grant program include a 6-passenger minivan with ramp, 6-passenger electric minivan with lift, 8-passenger cutaway with lift, 12-passenger cutaway with lift, 14-passenger cutaway with lift, 16-passenger cutaway with lift, and 14-passenger low-floor minibus with ramp.

MassDOT focused awards on replacing older and high-mileage models to maintain a state of good repair, along with awarding vans to expand fleets where need has increased. Organizations that were awarded are as follows:

  • Associates for Human Services, Wise Adult Day Health was awarded 2 vans.
  • Berkshire Regional Transit Authority was awarded 4 vans.
  • Brockton Area Transit Authority was awarded 8 vans.
  • Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority was awarded 15 vans.
  • City of Boston was awarded 2 vans.
  • Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Agency was awarded 17 vans.
  • Lowell Regional Transit Authority was awarded 5 vans.
  • Marion Council on Aging was awarded 2 vans.
  • Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority was awarded 3 vans.
  • MetroWest Regional Transit Authority was awarded 12 vans.
  • Milton Council on Aging was awarded 1 van.
  • Montachusett Regional Transit Authority was awarded 14 vans.
  • Nantucket Regional Transit Authority was awarded 1 van.
  • Northeast Independent Living Program was awarded 1 van.
  • Pioneer Valley Transit Authority was awarded 14 vans.
  • S.C.M. COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION was awarded 2 vans.
  • South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.  was awarded 5 vans.
  • Southeastern Regional Transit Authority was awarded 4 vans.
  • The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts, Inc. was awarded 2 vans.
  • The Nemasket Group was awarded 2 vans.
  • Town of Bedford was awarded 1 van.
  • Town of Great Barrington (South County Connector) was awarded 6 vans.
  • Town of Sandisfield was awarded 1 van.
  • Town of Ware (Quaboag Connector) was awarded 1 van.
  • Town of Winchendon Council on Aging was awarded 1 van.
  • Watertown Department of Senior Services was awarded 1 van.
  • Worcester Regional Transit Authority was awarded 4 vans.

To fund the awards, MassDOT uses both Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 funding, as well as state Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funding. According to federal regulations, federal 5310 funds can pay for up to 85% of the cost of each vehicle. Massachusetts’ Councils on Aging, nonprofits, and municipalities must pay a 15% match. The state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities are eligible for fully funded vehicles with state MAP funds providing a 15% match.

For more information about the Community Transit Grant Program, visit the Community Transit Grant Program website.

Onward Receives $2.3 Million NIH Grant to Scale Transportation Solutions for Older Adults

/in , /by

This article was originally published on AP News.

Funding will support research on the impact of Door-Through-Door rideshare for adults with mobility impairments and Alzheimer’s dementias.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, October 30, 2024 / EINPresswire.com / — Onward Health inc., a leading provider of Door-Through-Door transportation solutions for older adults and individuals with mobility and cognitive impairments, is proud to announce the receipt of a $2.3 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), an institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to fund a two-year research project. The study will advance Onward’s ongoing efforts to advance safe, culturally competent, and accessible transportation solutions for older adults and individuals requiring extra support.

The awarded NIH SBIR grant will be utilized to conduct a rigorous clinical study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of Onward’s purpose built transportation solution. The study will focus on measuring the impact of Onward’s services on the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and other age-related health conditions, who require accessible transportation to essential health appointments. By providing a tailored transportation experience designed to address the needs of those with mobility challenges and cognitive impairments, Onward Health is committed to supporting older adults and their caregivers in maintaining a good quality of life.

“Receiving this NIH SBIR grant is an incredible honor and a testament to the critical need for specialized transportation solutions for our aging population,” said Kim Petty, CEO of Onward Health, Inc. “This funding allows us to build on our mission of ‘Nurturing well-being – one visit, one connection, one ride at a time’ and take meaningful steps towards building tech-enabled transportation that enhances the quality of life for seniors. This grant also accelerates our ability to expand to new communities and partner with transit agencies and healthcare organizations across the country, bringing Onward’s services to those who need it most.”

By addressing the critical need for reliable transportation for individuals with cognitive impairments, this research has the potential to improve both healthcare outcomes and quality of life for a growing population of older adults. The funds will also help advance Onward’s matching algorithm, ensuring riders are connected with drivers who can support their unique needs while scaling the solution to new geographies. The outcomes of this research have the potential to reshape how transportation is provided for vulnerable populations and to influence policy and practice in both healthcare organizations and communities.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute On Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number: R44AG085945. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of NIH.

About Onward

Onward is nurturing community health – one ride, one visit, and one connection at a time. Partnering with Health Systems, Transit Agencies, PACE programs and more, we’re removing transportation barriers and ensuring that riders safely and comfortably reach their destinations. With a focus on personalized services Companion Rides, our Door-Through-Door assisted rides, are transforming how older adults and individuals with mobility challenges access essential services. Learn more at www.onwardrides.com

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend our healthy, active years of life. NIA is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are key parts of NIH’s mission to turn discovery into health. These programs set aside $1.3 billion in non-dilutive funding every year to support research and development with strong potential for commercial impact.

Eric Liddle