FTA 5310 Program
The Section 5310 program provides financial assistance for capital and operating projects that are public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable and projects that exceed the requirement of the ADA, improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on complementary paratransit, and alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Overview
In 2012, Congress passed a new two-year transportation bill. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) became effective October 1, 2012 and replaces the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act, a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) which expired on September 30, 2012.
With the advent of MAP-21, urban areas over 200,000 in the population are now direct recipients of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Section 5310 funds. As a result, LYNX has been selected to serve as the designated recipient of the Section 5310 funds for the Orlando and Kissimmee urbanized area.
In addition, MAP-21 has made a number of changes including repealing the Section 5317 New Freedom Program. The Section 5310 grant program now incorporates elements of the old New Freedom grant program. The new Section 5310 program is now titled “Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program”. The program has two parts:
- The “Traditional” capital vehicle grant program (80% federal share, 20% local cash match), carried out by not-for-profit agencies/eligible public bodies, and
- The “New Freedom” operating/capital grant program. Providing support for alternative transportation options for persons with disabilities, beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Funding match for the “New Freedom” portion is 50% federal / 50% local for operating expenses and 80% federal / 20% local for capital expenses.
This program is open to funding projects for one to two years. As the designated recipient, LYNX is responsible for conducting an area-wide competitive selection process for the program. In addition, LYNX serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. This dual role affords LYNX insight as to how best to utilize the funding made available by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to meet the purpose of the 5310 program.
Eligible Sub-recipients
LYNX does not require grant funding applicants to have active agreements with the CTC, but does require awarded sub-recipients to have active coordination contracts; if an awarded agency did not have an active agreement, time and support will be afforded to establish one.
All agencies applying for Section 5310 must meet with the CTC.
Those eligible to apply for Section 5310 funding as a sub-recipient of LYNX include:
1. Private non-profit organizations
2. State or local governmental authorities
3. Operators of public transportation services, including private operators of public transportation services
In addition to being classified as one of the three types of agencies listed above, projects eligible for funding must serve the urbanized area where the funds were apportioned. To be eligible for funds, applicants must have current agreements and good standing with the CTC.
Eligible Projects
A list of eligible projects can be found in the FTA Circular 9070.1G.
Project priority: Vanpool vehicles managed by LYNX, under contract with vRide, are the highest priority for this application process. Vanpools awarded under the 5310 program will provide funding for both replacement and expansion requirements.
Please refer to the 5310 grant workshop PowerPoint slide presentation on the LYNX vanpool program.
All other requests will be of lower priority and depending on rating, will be referred for further assessments review/concurrence by the CTC. As per the FTA Circular 9070.1G, those other eligible expenses are:
1. Public transportation projects that exceed the requirements of the ADA
2. Public transportation projects that improve access to fixed route service and decrease reliance by individuals with disabilities on ADA complementary paratransit service
3. Alternatives to public transportation that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation
Project Funding Priorities
Section 5310 funds are available for capital and operating expenses that are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable. At this time, LYNX is accepting applications on a higher priority for vanpool operations. This innovative vanpool program allows the availability of capital combined with maintenance and insurance expenses, as part of the 5310 funding award. The “Traditional” capital vehicle grant application is consistent with previous Section 5310 and the availability of maintenance and insurance eligibility provides for the operating component.
LYNX will be purchasing vanpool vehicles through the LYNX procurement process. As such vanpool vehicles selected for awards and vehicle acquisitions will be based on requirements established during the application process. Sub-recipients receiving awards will work with LYNX for any special vehicle requirements identified in the application.
Additional LYNX priorities are as follows:
- Maximize transportation resources to safely and efficiently transport the Urbanized Orlando and Kissimmee seniors and individuals with disabilities, by leveraging available techniques, tools, and technologies; to include the LYNX Agency VanPool program.
- Increase the mobility options for seniors and persons with disabilities across the urbanized portions of the LYNX service area, in a fiscally sustainable manner.
- Continue to provide for the special needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities for whom transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.
Eligible Project Areas
Eligible Sub-recipient should provide service to the urbanized areas of Orlando and Kissimmee. Please follow the link to access the maps.
Notification of Funding
Upon notice of the annual federal appropriation, LYNX will notify all eligible sub-recipients, including DBEs, via U.S. postal mail, e-mail, and/or public notice regarding the availability of funding and the associated grant application(s).
Grant Workshop
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (dba LYNX) will host grant workshops to discuss the availability of funding under the Section 5310 program for the urbanized Orlando and Kissimmee areas, as administered by LYNX.
Application packages are available at the workshops, as well as on www.golynx.com. For additional information on the workshop or the LYNX administered 5310 program, please contact Prahallad Vijayvargiya at (407) 254-6087.
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, persons needing a special accommodation at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact Benjamin Gonzalez at 455 N. Garland Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 254-6038, not later than three business days prior to the meeting. If hearing impaired, contact LYNX at (407) 423-0787(TDD).
Please follow the link to access the FY2024-25 5310:
Coordination Efforts
Since 1992 LYNX has been the designated Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. The LYNX Board of Directors approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and LYNX for LYNX to remain the CTC until June 30, 2023. In its role as the CTC, LYNX has an extensive list of partners that the agency has worked with on 5310 projects in the past. LYNX will continue to use its position as CTC to notify transportation providers of relevant funding opportunities and make every effort possible to support their applications and services.
Application Package
- 2024-25 FTA 5310 Application
- Grant Application Manual
- Application Excel Documents
- Frequently Asked Questions
Project Evaluation and Selection Process
The designated recipient, LYNX, is responsible for conducting the competitive selection process.
The project evaluation team is made up of individuals that represent the interests of the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as mobility across the region.
Proposals will be screened and ranked by the project evaluation and selection team. All applicants will be notified of project funding recommendations from the evaluation committee. The LYNX Board of Directors will receive the funding recommendations from the evaluation and selection team and will formally adopt the project list. Successful applicants will receive a letter that describes the forms and processes that they will need to complete in order to access FTA funds and the list of projects awarded will be published.
Locally Developed and Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan
A locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan (“Coordinated Plan”) identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes provides strategies for meeting those local needs and prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation.
A coordinated plan should maximize public transit/human services transportation services collective coverage by minimizing duplication of services. Further, a coordinated plan shall be developed through a process that includes representatives of public and private and non-profit transportation and human services transportation providers, and participation by members of the public.
Applicants seeking Section 5310 grant funds assistance must demonstrate that their project is derived from the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan.
The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (CFRTA) d/b/a as LYNX is pleased to announce the availability of funds for eligible applicants (current LYNX subrecipients) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 Federal Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Program. This program is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5310 (CFDA 20.521).
LYNX is the designated recipient of Section 5310 program funds for the Orlando and Kissimmee urbanized areas, while the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) administers the rural funding. As the designated recipient, LYNX is responsible for conducting an area-wide competitive selection process for the program. In addition, LYNX serves as the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. This dual role affords LYNX insight as to how best to utilize the funding made available by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to meet the purpose of the 5310 program.
This year, the FTA provided an additional apportionment to the LYNX Section 5310 program under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), to be distributed among subrecipients. This funding is intended for current Section 5310 subrecipients that display additional financial deficit caused by the prevention, preparation and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The supplemental funding under the Section 5310 CRRSAA & ARP program will be provided at 100% federal share, with no local match required. Funding will support eligible expenses under the relevant program, although the Act directs recipients to prioritize payroll and operational needs.
For more information about the program, see the CRRSAA & ARP 5310 Grant Manual below.
This competitive selection has expired and these funds are no longer available to apply for.