The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is pleased to announce the availability of funding for the Maryland Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program for FY2020-FY2022. The application period will open on February 1, 2019.

INTRODUCTION

During the 2018 session, the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation that established the Maryland Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program. Fiscal Year 2020, Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 will be the first three years (of five years) of funding for this program. MDOT MTA will administer the program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE

The Maryland Jobs Access Reverse Commute (MD-JARC) grant program is modeled after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant program, Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC). By using transportation services, this program is designed to connect targeted populations with employment areas that have experienced significant growth.

DISTRIBUTION OF GRANT AWARDS

A total of $2 million over the next five years is allotted for the MD-JARC program; no more than $400,000 per year is to be used for this program. Seventy percent (70%) is to be used in the urbanized areas, while thirty percent (30%) is for the rural areas.

The grant application will be distributed among five geographic areas and must be endorsed by the appropriate Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPOs) or Regional Coordinating Body (RCB) where the proposed project will be implemented. An endorsement must be received prior to final submission to the MDOT MTA (information is included in the grant application).

• Project Endorsement: Part I of the applications are due to the MPOs/RCBs no later than 3:00 pm on March 30,
• Final Submission: Part I and Part II are due to MDOT MTA no later than 3:00 pm on May 10,

The MDOT MTA will award grants based on funding availability, the number of eligible applications received, and the quality of the proposed projects.

HOW TO RECEIVE MD-JARC GRANT APPLICATION

The application package for MD-JARC grant funding will be available on the Transportation Association of Maryland’s (TAM) website (http://www.taminc.org/Office-of-Local-Transit-Support) on February 1, 2019. You can also obtain a copy of the grant application at one of four meetings to be held around the state (see listing on page 3).

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS

Eligible MD-JARC grant recipients include:

• Private Non-Profit Organization
• Local Transit System, and
• One or More Employers/Corporations (that implement a job access and reverse commute project/program)

Regardless of funding, the recipient must be able to provide the services for more than three (3) years.

TARGETED POPULATIONS

The targeted populations for this grant are as follows:

1. Reside in low income areas
2. Have limited or no access to use of a personal vehicle; and
3. Reside in an area that has limited access to fixed route services

TARGETED EMPLOYMENT AREAS

A targeted employment area is one that has experienced significant growth in employment opportunities in sectors including construction, manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, retail trade or the service industry.

PERMISSIBLE MD-JARC PROJECTS

Allowable projects will provide transportation services and solutions to targeted populations that serve targeted employment centers.

Projects may include:

• Extension of service hours on local fixed route systems
• Vanpool subsidy program(s)
• Employer-provided transportation services
• Demand-response and/or deviated fixed route service

Projects not permissible for this grant:

• Ride-matching services
• Mobility Management
• Commuter Assistance programs
• For-hire vehicle or transportation network services
• Carpool services
• Volunteer driver programs
• Except for services in support of MD-JARC, other services provided on an individual basis

APPLICATION REVIEW MEETINGS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grant application can be found at http://www.taminc.org/Office-of-Local-Transit-Support.

Contact Program Manager, Nancy Huggins, at nhuggins@mta.maryland.gov