| (A) leverage existing resources and promote innovation;
(B) are the only public transportation option for the
proposed service area;
(C) are sustainable over time;
(D) demonstrate efficient use of resources;
(E) involve partnerships that include organizations;
or
(F) provide service continuity.
(3) At least 55 percent of the funds allocated by district
boundaries or combination of district boundaries shall be used for
capital expenses.
(4) Not more than 45 percent of the funds allocated
by district boundaries or combination of district boundaries may be
used for operating expenses. This cap applies to both urbanized areas
and rural areas, respectively.
(5) The requirements of this subparagraph apply to
all projects recommended for funding.
(A) There must be a demonstrated need for any capital
purchases. Examples of items that may be used to demonstrate need
include a needs assessment that documents the demand for new services,
a vehicle inventory that establishes the need for replacement of older
equipment, dispatcher logs that document requests for service that
cannot be met with existing equipment, and purchase of service contracts
that substantiate the need for additional vehicles.
(B) The proposed applicant must be able to demonstrate
its financial and managerial capability to carry out the project.
Examples of items that may be used to demonstrate the capability include
audited financial statements and review letters from grantor agencies.
(C) Consideration should be given to the applicant's
past efforts to coordinate services and related activities with other
local entities. Examples showing those efforts include contracts that
outline purchase of service agreements, shared maintenance or dispatching
functions, and joint training initiatives.
(D) There should be evidence of local support for the
proposal. Examples of that evidence include resolutions by local governing
bodies and endorsement letters from other organizations or individuals.
(E) The project must be included in the coordinated
public transit-human service transportation plan.
(6) Based on stakeholder input, department personnel
assigned to cover district areas will rank projects in priority order.
(7) On receipt of the applications recommended for
funding, the director, or the director's designee, will review all
funding requests for completeness and compliance with all statutory
and program administrative requirements. Following commission approval,
the department will negotiate a contract with the selected local entities
and organizations to implement the projects selected for funding.
(j) Vehicle leasing. Vehicles acquired under the §5310
program may be leased to other entities, such as local public entities
or agencies, other private nonprofit agencies, or private for-profit
operators. The lessee shall operate the vehicles on behalf of the
§5310 recipient and provide the transportation services as described
in the original grant application.
(k) Incidental vehicle use. A vehicle that is purchased
with §5310 funds may be used for incidental uses that do not
conflict with the primary use of the vehicle to provide transportation
services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Examples of
permissible incidental uses are allowing riders who are neither senior
nor an individual with a disability to occupy vacant seats, delivering
meals, or using the vehicle for other public transportation activities
when it is not required for seniors or individuals with disabilities
project purposes. The vehicle shall not be altered in any way to accommodate
incidental use.
(l) Private for-profit transportation business participation.
Taxi companies that provide only exclusive-ride service are not eligible
subrecipients; however, they may participate in the §5310 program
as contractors. Exclusive-ride taxi companies may receive §5310
funds to purchase accessible taxis under contract with an eligible
subrecipient.
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