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Two St. Lawrence County organizations getting $500,000 to provide transportation for seniors, people with disabilities

Posted 10/20/15

Two St. Lawrence County non-profits will receive more than $500,000 to purchase vehicles to provide transportation to seniors and people with disabilities. St. Lawrence County Chapter NYSARC, Canton, …

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Two St. Lawrence County organizations getting $500,000 to provide transportation for seniors, people with disabilities

Posted

Two St. Lawrence County non-profits will receive more than $500,000 to purchase vehicles to provide transportation to seniors and people with disabilities.

St. Lawrence County Chapter NYSARC, Canton, will receive $479,464 to purchase eight vehicles.

Step By Step Inc., Ogdensburg, will receive $34,128 to purchase one vehicle.

Statewide Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Federal Transit Administration has approved a total $39.4 million in funding for public and non-profit organizations in New York State to purchase 415 accessible vehicles and other equipment used to assist in the transportation of seniors and people with disabilities.

"One of government's most important responsibilities is to ensure vital services reach the most vulnerable citizens," Gov. Cuomo said. "This funding will assist community organizations in providing transportation services to the elderly and people with disabilities and improve their access to food, health care and other essential services."

Since the New York State Department of Transportation began administering the federal Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program in 1974, more than $210 million in grant funding has been secured to help purchase approximately 4,500 accessible vehicles.

The program was significantly expanded in 2015 from solely funding vehicle purchases to now including capital projects, operating assistance and mobility management services which build coordination among transportation providers in order to expand the availability of service.

A total of 152 non-profit and public organizations received awards in 2015. These organizations provide over 1.8 million passenger trips annually for seniors and individuals with disabilities in New York State.