Downstate Reduced Fare Grant Program

Summary

The Downstate Reduced Fare Grant program is a competitive grant program providing fare-assistance and fare-replacement to eligible public transportation agencies. The purpose of the program is to make existing public transportation more affordable for eligible students while reimbursing transit providers for some or all of the resulting fare reduction. The program shall not replace or support general operating-assistance. Additionally, the program shall not replace ordinary school transportation provided by private school bus operators. Reduce Fare programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605).

Objective

The Downstate Reduced Fare Grant program is a competitive grant program providing fare-assistance and fare-replacement to eligible public transportation agencies. The purpose of the program is to make existing public transportation more affordable for eligible students while reimbursing transit providers for some or all of the resulting fare reduction. The program shall not replace or support general operating-assistance. Additionally, the program shall not replace ordinary school transportation provided by private school bus operators. Reduce Fare programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605).

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 operator 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. The applicant must clearly explain their current fare structure and the proposed fare structure under the Reduced Fare Program and any plans to increase fares over the life of the grant program. When an agency has different fare structures by service type, distance, zone, or mode, the applicant must describe how the reduced fare and reimbursement will be calculated. • 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. • 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 reserves also 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.