Welcome to the May 2021 issue of the MassMobility newsletter, featuring news related to mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals in Massachusetts.
This month, we highlight two transit authorities that are collaborating with their local workforce systems to expand access to jobs. Read on to learn how Cape Ann is piloting microtransit to overcome first and last mile barriers, and how Franklin County is using taxis to serve workers who work second or third shifts. This month's issue also features a coalition of human service agencies that is seeking to formalize after collaborating for three years to expand mobility in the Plymouth region.
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In this month's issue
- Apply for funding
- Microtransit pilot seeks to address workforce challenges
- Transit, workforce system collaborate to expand job access
- Transportation consortium pursues nonprofit status
- Upcoming events
- Learn something new
- Job postings
- COVID-19 and community transportation
Celebrations
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Expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities
MassDOT's annual Community Transit Grant Program is open! Applications are due June 25. Councils on Aging, nonprofits, transit authorities, municipalities, and some taxis can apply for funding for vehicles, mobility management projects, or operating expenses to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. A January webinar featured three past grantees discussing how they collaborated with partners to fill gaps in the regional transportation network. If you are applying for the first time or have questions, contact Jenna Henning.
Promote transportation justice
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) is seeking proposals to advance work at the intersection of transportation access and social justice. This opportunity is available to groups organizing and advocating to improve walking, cycling, and public transportation to help reverse racial and economic inequities in Massachusetts. T4MA strongly encourages applications from organizations led by and/or in support of People of Color and underrepresented, under-resourced communities who will engage people most impacted by transportation issues in their community. Applications are due May 28.
Share the street
Municipalities and transit authorities can apply for Shared Streets and Spaces grants from MassDOT to adopt measures to create safer conditions and safer speeds on streets for all modes, ages, users, and abilities. Bonus points are available for projects incorporating safe routes for seniors. Apply by May 21.
Small grants for rural providers
Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities, and others operating transportation in rural or small communities can apply to MassDOT for Helping Hand Mini Grants of up to $1,000 to cover software, hardware, marketing, PPE, or other eligible expenses. Applications are due June 14.
Plan a human-centered mobility solution
Nonprofits and government agencies can apply to the National Center for Mobility Management's Community Mobility Design Challenge to improve transportation for community members who lack access to equitable transportation because of income status, minority status, location, a pre-existing condition, or other reason. Learn more on a May 27 webinar. Applications are due July 12.
More funding opportunities
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Microtransit pilot seeks to address workforce challenges
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After hearing from local employers that transit connections to the commuter rail would help them recruit workers, the City of Gloucester, the Gloucester Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC), and the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) collaborated on a solution, and the resulting pilot service launched April 20. CATA On Demand provides on-demand microtransit service to a section of Gloucester that includes the City’s two commuter rail stations, industrial parks, a hospital, and other major employers. Funded through a MassDOT Workforce Transportation grant, the pilot seeks to assist employees in connecting from the commuter rail to employer sites in order to encourage people who live in commuter rail communities like Beverly, Salem, or Boston to apply for jobs in Gloucester. Anyone traveling within the service zone can ride CATA On Demand.
To ride, riders first download the CATA On Demand app and set up an account, and then they can summon a ride anytime during operating hours – no need to reserve in advance. Riders who use wheelchairs can request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle through the app. After requesting a ride, the app tells the rider where to meet their driver. In developing the pilot, CATA recommended using a microtransit approach so that the new service could be flexible to meet a range of shift schedules at different employers and easily adapt to any changes in the commuter rail schedule. CATA issued an RFP for an operator, and out of the five responses they received, they selected Via.
Early response from the community has been positive, with ridership growing, new people continuing to download the app, and residents already asking for the service to expand. CATA is following up with local employers to offer sponsorship opportunities, where employers contribute to the pilot in exchange for advertising or free rides for their employees. CATA has funding to operate the pilot for a year and hopes to continue it after that as well: “While the fixed route is the backbone of the system, it could be nice - in both our lower density areas and higher density areas - for on-demand options to supplement our service,” says CATA Administrator Felicia Webb.
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Transit, workforce system collaborate to expand job access
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As of April 12, workers in Franklin County have a new way to commute to second and third shift jobs. The Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) and Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board (FHWB) are partnering on a new pilot to provide taxi rides for people who need to commute outside the hours that FRTA’s fixed-route and microtransit services operate. Riders can stop on the way to drop off or pick up their children at childcare facilities. The pilot is funded through a state taxi and livery grant administered by MassDevelopment and MAPC.
FRTA sees the pilot as a complement to their fixed-route and FRTA ACCESS microtransit services. Some riders may need the transportation for a short time, while they save up to repair their car for example, while others may need it longer term. The first month a rider uses the taxi service, they ride for free. If they continue into a second month, the fare is half the FRTA Access fare, and if they continue for a third month and beyond, the fare is equal to the FRTA Access fare. Currently, the FRTA Access fare is $3 or $4 one-way, depending on where the trip originates and ends.
Andrew Baker, Special Projects Coordinator at FHWB, hopes that this service will open new opportunities for both residents and employers: “Our area employment counselors and service agencies meet many job seekers who lack transportation to get to work. Until people know they have a reliable way to get to and from a second or third shift job that starts or ends at 11pm or midnight, they tend not to apply. This potential workforce will become visible and available to employers now that we can offer a reliable transportation option.”
To promote the program, FHWB is working with local healthcare and manufacturing employers, as well as local nonprofits, human service agencies, and temp agencies to spread the word to current employees and jobseekers. Anyone wishing to use the taxi service to get to work should contact Michael Perreault, FRTA Assistant Administrator, to set up a taxi contract. The pilot is scheduled to run through December 31, 2021.
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Transportation consortium pursues nonprofit status
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Transportation collaborative Taking People Places (TPP) is celebrating its third birthday by looking to the future. To facilitate its sustainability over the long term, this informal consortium is pursuing incorporating as its own nonprofit.
TPP is a group of 14 aging and disability services agencies in the Plymouth area that collaboratively contract with Lyft for rides for their consumers. The group began informally with stakeholders coming together around a shared need for additional transportation options in their region. They sought to model themselves after the successful Community Accessing Rides (CAR) initiative, a consortium in the Attleboro area that collectively contracts with Uber. Through CAR, participating agencies use member contributions and grants to pay for Uber rides for their consumers when public transit is unavailable. TPP sought to replicate the CAR model, but with more partners since they would be covering a larger and more rural geographic area. In the spring of 2018, the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce reached out to Will Shain, a local executive business coach who is an active community member, and Shain agreed to facilitate the group as a volunteer. Shain helped the informal group develop a mission statement and do some early strategic planning, gradually formalizing the partnership over the course of the first year. In 2019, TPP contracted with Lyft, received its first grant through MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program, and began offering rides.
TPP board member South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC) serves as the fiscal sponsor, and Shain worked with them to set up a financial model that balances member dues with grant funding. Each participating agency pays into the program and is then entitled to matching funds (paid for through TPP’s public and private grants) equal to the amount they pay in. Using a shared Lyft Concierge account, any participating agency can schedule a trip for a consumer who is going to employment or job training, medical services (including dental and mental health), food access, or social activities. Once a month, Lyft bills SSCAC, and SSCAC reconciles the finances among participating agencies. In addition to contributions from members, TPP has also received support from community-based nonprofits like the Plymouth Lions who contribute to support the community despite having no riders in the program.
TPP has provided rides to over 4,000 consumers since launching. While ridership decreased in 2020 due to the pandemic, it recently returned to pre-pandemic levels with nearly 250 rides in March. “The program is working well. We have a great level of collaboration despite the fact that all participants have full-time work and do this on a volunteer basis,” Shain shares. However, the group would like to expand their capacity for grant-writing. Looking to the future, Shain and the TPP board foresee a need for administrative support, so they are working on incorporating as a nonprofit to facilitate fundraising efforts and sustainability.
For other initiatives looking for assistance with facilitation and coordination, Shain recommends reaching out to retired executives either through networking in your community or through organizations like SCORE, or accessing services from the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center. “There are people out there who want to continue to work – you just have to find them,” he says.
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MassDOT Innovation Conference - last chance to register!
Scheduled for May 25-27, MassDOT's annual Innovation Conference will be virtual this year and will feature a track on Mobility, Accessibility, and Transportation Equity. If you are interested in attending, MassDOT is asking for everyone to register by May 18. To register, visit www.massdotinnovation.com and click the "Registration" tab. This year's conference sessions will include presentations from:
- The Community Transportation Leaders Program developed by the Greater Portland Council of Governments in Portland, Maine discussing how they conduct leadership development activities with older adults, people with disabilities, and immigrants around transit improvements and advocacy.
- Panelists from two Regional Planning Agencies representing Greater Boston and the Pioneer Valley discussing how the expansions of their respective bikeshare programs have provided greater access to traditionally underserved communities.
- Staff and participants from the Michigan-based Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC) discussing their innovative program supporting young people with disabilities in expanding their access and independence through learning to use active modes of transportation including biking, walking, and taking the bus.
- And more! Visit www.massdotinnovation.com for a list of sessions. Check back regularly for updates!
Human Service Transportation Virtual Orientation Sessions
The Human Service Transportation (HST) Office, MassHealth, and contracted Brokers are holding virtual orientation sessions for members who will be using HST transportation services under the new contract, which will begin on July 1. The Brokers will be presenting information about new technology such as web-based options and smartphone apps for booking trips. There will be time for attendees to ask questions and make comments. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for May 19 (Southeastern Mass, Cape, and Islands), and June 2 and 9 (Western Mass, Central Mass, Metro Boston, and Northeastern Mass); additional sessions in June will be scheduled for Southeastern Mass, the Cape, and the Islands. ASL, Certified Deaf Interpreters, and CART are confirmed for all sessions. For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/hstnews.
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Videos
- Ginny Salem, Administrator of Northern Essex Elder Transport (NEET), discussed the NEET program and the value that it and other volunteer driver programs provide in this interview for a local show produced by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley & North Shore. Salem will also be discussing volunteer driver recruitment at the next meeting of the Massachusetts Volunteer Driver Program Network on June 8 - contact MassMobility if you would like to attend.
- Three new transportation videos from AARP Livable Communities discuss funding for transit, the value of public transit, and complete streets.
Webinars
Reports
- The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) has written three short reports highlighting the initiatives in Texas, Washington State, and North Carolina featured in webinars earlier this spring about transportation to vaccine access.
- NCMM and National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) have written a blog post and updated a report about advocating for transit systems - including how advocacy is different from lobbying. If this topic interests you, you can also check out NCMM's e-learning module.
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WalkBoston is hiring a Program Manager to lead their statewide, community-partnered technical assistance programs including their age-friendly walking projects.
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COVID-19 and community transportation
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We want to thank all our readers who are on the front lines helping older adults, people with disabilities, and essential workers. We also wish to send a special thank you to all drivers!
Vaccine transportation for MassHealth and Health Safety Net members:
- On February 17, MassHealth announced that transportation services to and from vaccine appointments are available for any MassHealth member or individual receiving services through the Health Safety Net.
- If you are enrolled in a Senior Care Options or One Care plan or in a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), you should contact your health plan or PACE provider to request help with transportation.
- All other MassHealth members and Health Safety Net patients need to get approval from MassHealth in the form of a PT-1 request either through your provider or by calling the MassHealth Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900, and then you will book your ride with a local transportation broker, who will send a driver to pick you up for your appointment and return you home.
- Even though people with MassHealth Limited, MassHealth Family Assistance, the Children's Medical Security Plan, or the Health Safety Net usually aren't able to get transportation to medical appointments through MassHealth, they CAN get transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments through MassHealth.
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Learn more.
General information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:
Information from other Massachusetts agencies:
National resources related to transportation and COVID-19:
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You can read all past issues of the MassMobility newsletter in our archive
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Contact us anytime if you have a suggestion for something we could cover in a future article, or if you would like to submit a guest article!
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