Section 5310 Program for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities is sponsored by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) / Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA). This federal-aid funding source is intended for projects benefiting seniors and disabled persons when service is unavailable or insufficient, and for transit access projects for disabled persons that will exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

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gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-section-5310) ## Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (49 U.S.C.

5310) provides formula funding to states and designated recipients to meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs. Funds are apportioned based on each state’s share of the population for these two groups.

Formula funds are apportioned to direct recipients: for rural and small urban areas, the state department of transportation serves this role; while in large urban areas, a designated recipient is chosen by the governor. Direct recipients have flexibility in how they select subrecipient projects for funding, but their decision process must be clearly noted in a state/program management plan.

The selection process may be formula-based, competitive or discretionary, and subrecipients can include states or local government authorities, private non-profit organizations, and/or operators of public transportation. The program aims to improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and expanding transportation mobility options.

This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities in all areas – large urbanized (over 200,000), small urbanized (50,000-200,000), and rural (under 50,000). ## Funding Availability and Allocation Section 5310 funds are available for obligation for three federal fiscal years, the year of apportionment plus two additional years.

For example, funds apportioned in FY 2024 are available until September 30, 2026. FTA apportions Section 5310 funds using a statutory formula based on the number of older adults and people with disabilities in each state according to the latest U.S. Census data. View current or archived apportionments to access detailed information.

Direct recipients of 5310 funding include states, local government authorities, and designated recipients who then distribute funds to eligible projects and subrecipients within their areas. Eligible subrecipients include private nonprofit organizations, state or local government authorities, and operators of public transportation.

Operators of public transportation are entities that provide regular continuing shared-ride surface transportation services that are open to the general public or open to a segment of the general public defined by age, disability, or low-income. Operators of public transportation are eligible as subrecipients for nontraditional Section 5310 projects. Eligible subrecipients should apply to the direct recipient in their area for funding.

In small urban or rural areas, the direct recipient is the state department of transportation. In large urban areas the direct recipient is the designated recipient. A federally recognized Indian tribe may apply directly to FTA for Section 5310 funds that a state, local government authority, or designated recipient has awarded to the tribe.

Tribes are eligible direct recipients under the Section 5311 program. 5310 funding can be used for “traditional” or “nontraditional” projects. “Traditional” projects are capital projects as defined in 49 U.S.C.

5302(3). “Nontraditional” projects are capital and/or operating projects that go beyond the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services or public transportation alternatives designed to assist older adults and people with disabilities.

**Traditional Section 5310 project examples include**: * Wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement devices * Transit-related information technology systems, including scheduling/routing/one-call systems * Mobility managementprograms * Non-emergency medical transportation * Acquisition of transportation services under a contract, lease, or other arrangement **Nontraditional Section 5310 project examples include**: * Volunteer driver programs * Construction of an accessible path to a bus stop, including curb-cuts, sidewalks, accessible pedestrian signals or other accessible features * Improvements to signage, or way-finding technology * Incremental cost of providing same day service or door-to-door service * Purchase of vehicles to support new accessible taxi, rides sharing and/or vanpooling programs * Mobility management programs * Non-emergency medical transportation The federal share of the project costs may not exceed 80 percent for planning and capital costs and 50 percent for operating assistance.

Additionally, 10 percent may be used to fund program administrative costs including administration, planning, and technical assistance may at 100-percent federal share. Federal funds from other agencies may be used as match for the Section 5310 Program. For additional information on local match and federal fund braiding refer to the Section 5310 Circular (9070.

1H) and the CCAM Federal Fund Braiding Guide.

## Additional Information To continue streamlining processes and providing high-quality customer service, FTA updated program guidance and award management requirements to incorporate provisions from the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Uniform Administrative Requirements for federal awards to non-federal entities, and current FTA policies and procedures.

The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance, C 9070. 1H provides instructions and guidance on program administration and the grant application process for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.

### Coordination with Federal Programs FTA’s Section 5310 program allows grantees to coordinate and assist in regularly providing meal delivery service for homebound individuals if the delivery service does not conflict with providing public transportation service or reduce service to public transportation passengers. Learn more about the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).

### Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program The Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) provides federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations with greater control, flexibility, and decision-making authority over USDOT funds used to carry out tribal transportation programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs) in tribal communities.

The TTSGP also affords tribes and tribal organizations with specific rights and federal resources to implement and support their Self-Governance program. Learn more about TTSGP. The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA.

For additional technical assistance information and resources, visit the FTA-Sponsored Technical Assistance, Training, and Research Resource Programs webpage.