Federal Grants Aimed at Improving Transportation Access for Military Families

November 21, 2011 - Statewide Transportation Plan - DENVER – Colorado will receive more than $1.3 million in federal funding for projects that will help military families and wounded warriors receive local, affordable transportation services.

The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative is designed to help states and communities build or expand “one-click, one-call” centers that offer comprehensive information on local transportation options, and other community services, with a phone call or click of the mouse.  Since many military families live in areas where commutes are long and public transportation is limited, projects funded by the Veterans Initiative puts the information in one convenient location, providing better local coordination and improved services for veterans and nonveterans alike.

"A go-to resource for local transportation and community information will help improve the quality of transportation service to our veterans and non-veterans,” said Sen. Mark Udall. "These grants are a creative solution to help military families and veterans across Colorado get access to reliable public transit that, in many communities, is the best affordable way to get to job opportunities, medical facilities and other services.”

Colorado requested and received funding for four projects from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA):

  • Pikes Peak Area – Accessible Coordinated Transportation will upgrade software for its joint dispatch and call center, improving outreach to the veterans’ community. $362,500.
  • Montrose/Delta counties – All Points Transit will upgrade software for its dispatch and call center to improve safety and efficiency. The upgrade enhances the ability for scheduling rides for military and veteran service providers. $29,052.
  • Northwestern Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG), serving a multi-county region, will develop a one-call/one-click and regional billing center, enhancing transportation services for veterans in the area. NWCCOG will provide a travel training program to familiarize veterans on the use of the one-call/one-click center.  $321,600.
  • Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council will create a one-call/one-click center with an information and assistance function built on the existing TransitOptions transportation database. The project will implement a coordinated reservations and scheduling system, beginning with several regional providers in a pilot phase, with the possibility of additional phases. The project was developed in cooperation with the statewide Veterans Transportation Task Force.  $613,580.

“Investments in transit and transportation bring opportunity and economic activity to our city and our neighborhoods,” said Rep. Diane DeGette. “But today is a particularly proud day as these targeted investments will provide support to our brave veterans. Historically our nation’s veterans have been under-served in our transportation infrastructure, but these grants will help Colorado give our brave men and women access to the transportation resources they need to transition their service on the battlefield into meaningful employment in our community.”

Overall, the FTA awarded $34.6 million to 55 projects in 32 states and Guam. A complete list of funded projects is available at http://fta.dot.gov/grants/13094.html.