Memorandum

Date March 21, 2013

To Boston Region MPO

From Alicia Wilson, MPO Staff

Re JARC and New Freedom Grant Proposals Received by the MPO

Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC; 49 USC Section 5316) and New Freedom (49 USC Section 5317) are federal formula grant programs whose eligible recipients are states and public bodies. MassDOT is the eligible recipient for the Boston Urbanized Area, which contains the Boston Region MPO and four other MPOs in Massachusetts.

JARC provides grants to support the development and maintenance of projects designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to employment. New Freedom provides grants for new public transportation services and public transportation alternatives that assist individuals with disabilities and exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

MassDOT’s solicitation for JARC and New Freedom program proposals for state fiscal year (SFY) 2014 ended on March 1, 2013. After checking them for completeness, MassDOT forwarded the applications to the appropriate MPOs for review. The MPOs decide which applications to recommend and also inform MassDOT about project priorities. MassDOT then determines which proposals will be funded.

The funding available for the Boston urbanized area in SFY 2014 is $2,072,187 for the JARC Program and $1,229,681 for the New Freedom Program. The MPO received five JARC applications from five entities with requests totaling $1,244,250 and eight New Freedom applications from six entities with requests totaling $1,971,587.

The accompanying tables list and summarize the proposals, the funds requested, and staff scores for each proposal. Staff recommend funding projects that received a score of at least 375, or 75% of the maximum score. For the New Freedom projects since the qualifying proposals exceed the available funding, the MPO may choose to fund 2 years of a three year request or may choose to eliminate an entire project.

The also choose to fund lower-scoring projects based on factors such as project type, an applicant’s previous success, whether the applicant has received any prior funding, or has an ongoing project .

AW/aw

 

Boston Region MPO Job Access and Reverse Commute Project Proposals for SFY 2014

ApplicantProject Funded BeforeProject DescriptionProject TypeTotal Project CostTotal Funds RequestedTotal Local MatchSFY 2014 RequestSFY 2015 RequestSFY 2016 RequestTarget PopulationService AreaNeed/ Strategy MetProjected Annual Ridership Cost/ Trip ServedMinority and/or Low-Income Tracts ServedProponent Met (or almost met) Goal in Program EvaluationComment
128 Business Council Score (500 maximum) 443 Yes, 2012Alewife-A3-Rte. 128 Corridor Reverse Commute Program: Continue shuttle service between Alewife Station on the Red Line and employment sites in the Hayden Avenue area of South Lexington and residents in the North Waltham area.Capital, Purchase Service $171,010 $128,740 $42,270 Corporate sponsors$128,740 Does not applyDoes not applyReverse commuters, general publicSouth Lexington and North WalthamIncrease service hours and coverage, improve the accessibility of existing services.20,000$9YesYes
Acton Score (500 maximum) 317 NoMobility Manager, to serve as a communication link between transportation providers and users, both present and potential. The manager would inventory and create a database of all public and private area transportation services and would also provide information to local businesses, medical providers, and municipalities about transportation options available.Mobility Management$20,000 $16,000 $4,000 CrossTown Connect$16,000 Does not applyDoes not applySenior citizens, people with disabilitiesActon, Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, StowMobility managementDoes not applyDoes not applyYesDoes not applyMassDOT did not fund project in 2012.
Foxborough Score (500 maximum) 417NoA planning study to determine the need for, and examine the feasibility of, transportation services designed to transport people with low incomes to and from jobs and employment-related activities in Foxborough; also to explore the need for reverse commuting services.Planning$38,400 $30,720 $7680 Planning Board Consulting$30,720 Does not applyDoes not applyPeople with low incomes and possibly reverse commutersFoxborough, possibly MansfieldImprove connectionsDoes not applyDoes not applyNoDoes not apply
MetroWest RTA Score (500 maximum) 337NoWellesley Route 9 Reverse Commute: Project would integrate Wellesley into the MWRTA. Will provide fixed-route service between Woodland station on the Green Line and employment on Route 9 and in Wellesley SquareOperating $1,200,000$600,000$600,000 State Contract Assistance$200,000$200,000$200,000People who make reverse commutes from the Boston area into WellesleyNewton, Wellesley, Natick, FraminghamIncrease service coverage32,800$20YesYesProject was not recommended for funding last year. Could have RIDE implications.
ApplicantProject Funded BeforeProject DescriptionProject TypeTotal Project CostTotal Funds RequestedTotal Local MatchSFY 2014 RequestSFY 2015 RequestSFY 2016 RequestTarget PopulationService AreaNeed/ Strategy MetProjected Annual Ridership Cost/ Trip ServedMinority and/or Low-Income Tracts ServedProponentMet (or almost met) Goal in Program EvaluationComment
Salem, North Shore Career Center (NSCC) Score (500 maximum) 333 Yes, 2008, 2010, 2012Mobility Management and Employment Express: A subscription paratransit service providing access from across the North Shore to employment corridors in Salem, Peabody, and Danvers. Mobility management includes an advisory service for low-income individuals, helping them to access appropriate and affordable transportation throughout the North Shore. Mobility Management$851,604 $468,790 $382,814 In kind services, GLSS and North Shore Career Center$468,790 Does not applyDoes not applyPersons with low incomesBeverly, Danvers, Lynn, Peabody, SalemIncrease coverage, provide travel training, mobility management14,114$52YesNoVery high cost per trip
Total funds requestedDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not apply$1,244,250 Does not apply$844,250 $200,000$200,000Does not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not apply
Total funds availableDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not apply$2,072,187 Does not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not applyDoes not apply

Boston Region MPO New Freedom Project Proposals for SFY 2014

Applicant Project Funded Before Project Description Project Type Total Project Cost Total Funds Requested Total Local Match SFY 2014 Request SFY 2015 Request SFY 2016 Request Target Population Service Area Need/ Strategy Met Projected Annual Ridership or People Served Cost/ Trip served Minority and/or Low-Income Tracts Served Proponent Met (or almost met) Goal in Program Evaluation Comment
Acton Score (500 maximum) 397 No CrossTown Connect Dispatch: Increase efficiency by consolidating and expanding dispatch services for all accessible vans operated by each community in the service area. Operating $270,000 $135,000 $135,000 CrossTown Connect $44,000 $45,000 $46,000 Senior citizens, people with disabilities, general population Acton, Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Westford Coordination, expand service hours Does not apply Does not apply, for dispatch only Yes Does not apply
Greater Lynn Senior Services Score (500 maximum) 450 Yes, 2009, 2010, 2012 Reaching Beyond Borders: The GLSS Mobility Links Project: Continue operating a Travel Counseling Call Center; maintain an interactive database of transportation resources across the target region; recruit mobility advisor volunteers, a corps of volunteer drivers who can be matched with and operate underused vehicles from various agencies to expand transportation options; expand the number of communities with kiosks where consumers have the opportunity to work with staff and advisors. Mobility Management $1,154,701 $551,101 $600,000 Grants and corporate sponsors $233,039 $153,406 $164,656 Low-income, people with disabilities, general public Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Marblehead, Manchester, Middleton, Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem; Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham Improve communications, travel training and education, mobility management, one-stop travel counseling call center. Travel and trip planning to 2,000 consumers, counseling and support to generate 14,500 affordable and accessible trips; 1,000 gap trips through the volunteer core. Does not apply Yes Yes Application didn't require data on persons served or trips generated as a result of travel counseling. Information was volunteered in the proposal. Agency has been highly effective with previous projects.
Greater Lynn Senior Services Score (500 maximum) 467 Yes, 2012 Community Planning, Phase 2: Develop a Mobility Council that would coordinate efforts of agencies across the region; finalize several strategies to remove mobility barriers on the North Shore (strategies would include plans of action, cost-benefit analyses, and proposed funding mechanisms); pilot at least one of these strategies across multiple communities, documenting impact and ensuring full transferability and scalability. Planning, Mobility Management $793,861 $533,861 $260,000 Grants and corporate sponsors $170,737 $188,831 $174,293 People with disabilities Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Marblehead, Manchester, Middleton, Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem; Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham Expand service coverage, improve accessibility of existing routes, improve communications, travel training, mobility management. Does not apply Does not apply Yes Yes Agency has been highly effective with previous projects.
MetroWest RTA Score (500 maximum) 387 No Peer-to-Peer Training Program: A training program to help MWRTA RIDE users shift onto fixed-route service. Would also provide one-on-one training assistance to elderly people who are losing their driver's licenses. Mobility Management $120,000 $100,000 $20,000 Toll credits $100,000 Does not apply Does not apply People with disabilities Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston Travel training Does not apply Does not apply Yes Yes
Mystic Valley Elder Services Score (500 maximum) 460 Yes, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Connect-a-Ride Alliance: Continue development and expansion of the Trip Metro North Program (uses mileage-reimbursed volunteers to provide transportation) and implementation of a central dial-a-ride/transportation counseling center model carried out in collaboration with SCM. Mobility Management $100,000 $80,000 $20,000 MVES corporate funds $80,000 Does not apply Does not apply Low-income, people with disabilities, seniors Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield Increase service hours and coverage, improve communication, travel training, mobility management Does not apply Does not apply Yes Yes
Salem, North Shore Career Center (NSCC) JARC funds also requested for this project. Score (500 maximum) 333 Yes, 2008, 2010, 2012 Mobility Management and Employment Express: A subscription paratransit service providing access from across the North Shore to employment corridors in Salem, Peabody, and Danvers. Mobility management includes an advisory service for persons with disabilities, helping them to access appropriate and affordable transportation throughout the North Shore. Mobility Management and Operating $458,554 $252,425 $206,129 In-kind services, GLSS and NSCC $252,425 Does not apply Does not apply People with disabilities Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Peabody, Salem Increase coverage, provide travel training, mobility management 7,600 $60 Yes No Very high cost per trip
SCM Score (500 maximum) 363 No Travel Training, Counseling, and Advocacy: Upgrade office software and infrastructure to support the mobility management program and streamline the information process. Mobility Management $219,000 $175,200 $43,800 Tufts Health Plan Foundation $175,200 Does not apply Does not apply MBTA consumers, Cambridge residents, Mass. Rehab. Commission, consumers Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham Travel training, coordination Does not apply Does not apply Yes No
SCM Score (500 maximum) 353 No Planning: Develop a financial and operating plan to integrate mobility management with their current transportation operations and use short-term consulting expertise to plan and implement coordinating services. Planning $180,000 $144,000 $36,000 Tufts Health Plan Foundation $144,000 Does not apply Does not apply MBTA consumers, Cambridge residents, Mass. Rehab. Commission, consumers Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Stoneham Coordination Does not apply Does not apply Yes No
Total funds requested Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply $1,971,587 Does not apply $1,199,401 $387,237 $384,949 $1,971,587 Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply
Total funds available Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply $1,229,681 Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply