Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant Program

Summary

The Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant program is a competitive grant. The purpose of the program is to support partnerships between eligible public transit agencies and educational institutions to provide transportation access for students. The program shall support eligible costs directly associated with approved cooperative transportation programs. Cooperative programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605). Eligible activities may include transportation services provided through the cooperative program, specialized transportation for students with disabilities during off-peak service hours, vocational and career education transportation, transportation planning, scheduling and coordination activities, transportation equipment, infrastructure, or other capital needs necessary to implement the approved program

Objective

The Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant program is a competitive grant. The purpose of the program is to support partnerships between eligible public transit agencies and educational institutions to provide transportation access for students. The program shall support eligible costs directly associated with approved cooperative transportation programs. Cooperative programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605). Eligible activities may include transportation services provided through the cooperative program, specialized transportation for students with disabilities during off-peak service hours, vocational and career education transportation, transportation planning, scheduling and coordination activities, transportation equipment, infrastructure, or other capital needs necessary to implement the approved program.

Program terms

Agreement term will be five years from the date of the award

Application procedures

• OP-3 – Description of Applicant’s Organization • Scope – A detailed scope that explains transportation delivery, availability of service, vehicle and operators, and programmatic readiness. The scope should also clearly identify the role and responsibilities of each proposed educational partner and describe how the partnership will support transportation delivery. In addition, the scope should clearly describe how students will be enrolled and how student ridership will be tracked. • Demonstrated Transportation Need and Feasibility – Documentation that clearly identifies a lack of transportation for school-aged children. Communities that have received Illinois Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding within the last two years will be required to demonstrate a coordinated plan that incorporates both programs to maximize student access to school. If there is a shortfall in completing the Safe Routes to School project, the applicant must describe how the shortfall will be covered. The Cooperative program funding cannot be used to supplement the Safe Routes project. • List of Proposed Educational Partners – A list of the public-school districts, regional offices of education, public career centers, and public technical education centers expected to participate in or support the proposed program. • Areas of Mobility and Economic Hardship Index– Mobility and economic hardship will be evaluated using indicators such as household income, housing cost burden, employment conditions, travel time, vehicle availability, traffic intensity, and access to reliable transportation. These factors will help identify communities where economic conditions and transportation barriers demonstrate a greater need for program assistance. • Letters of Support – Letters demonstrating support for the proposed program from educational partners or other appropriate community partners.

How proposals are selected

Complete applications will be reviewed and competitively evaluated by IDOT. Applications will be scored using the following evaluation categories: • Detailed Scope – 30 points • Demonstrated Transportation Need and Feasibility – 35 points • Educational Partner Participation and Community Support – 25 points • Areas of Mobility and Economic Hardship Index – 10 points • The maximum possible score is 100 points. Applications will be ranked based on their total score. IDOT will make funding selections based on application scores, available funding, and overall program demand. IDOT reserves the right to award funding to meaningful projects which best meet the intended purpose of the program. IDOT also reserves the right to fund an application in full or at a reduced amount and may establish an award limitation based on the number of qualified applications received.