Section 5310 Transit Funding

Overview

The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (49 USC Section 5310) "Section 5310" Program provides grants to assist non-profit organizations, private operators, and public agencies providing coordinated transportation services that are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities.  This funding originates with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and is administered by GoRaleigh and CAMPO. 

The FTA Section 5310 funding program provides capital and operating grants to private non-profit corporations and public agencies coordinated transportation services that meet the needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The City of Raleigh is a recipient of these funds and is responsible for its oversight and administration to local, eligible subrecipients. Along with this responsibility, Raleigh and CAMPO are required to frequently update the PMP and ensure its consistent with the Wake County and Raleigh Urbanized Area Locally Coordinated Public Transit- Human Services Transportation Plan, which provides guidance on meeting local transportation needs for the disabled and elderly populations.

Program Administration

The Program Management Plan (PMP) is a federally required document that outlines how FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities funding is administered within the Raleigh-Cary Urbanized Area. The City of Raleigh, in coordination with the CAMPO, has developed a draft update to this plan to ensure consistency with federal guidance, local needs and local priorities. The CAMPO Executive Board will consider endorsing the updated PMP at their meeting on September 16, 2020.  

Current Grant Awards - FFY 2019 and 2020

Section 5310 Program and Eligibility Requirements

Section 5310 funds are available for capital and operating expenses to support the provision of transportation services to meet the specific needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Requirements are detailed in the 5310 Program Management Plan. All projects must either be situated in the Raleigh-Cary Urbanized Area or may originate in a rural area but must have the final destination situated in an urbanized area within the region to qualify for Section 5310 Urbanized Area funds.

At least 55 percent of any rural, small urbanized area, or large urbanized area’s annual apportionment must be utilized for public transportation capital projects that are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the specific needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities. 

In addition to the above required capital projects, up to 45 percent of an area’s apportionment may be utilized for additional public transportation projects that:

  • Exceed the ADA minimum requirements,
  • Improve access to fixed-route service and decrease reliance by persons with disabilities on ADA-complementary paratransit service, or
  • Provide alternatives to public transportation that assist elderly persons and persons with disabilities with transportation.

Such projects must be targeted toward meeting the transportation needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities, although they may be used by the general public. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) encourages projects that are open to the public as a means of avoiding unnecessary segregation of services.

CAMPO Contact Information:
Crystal Odum, Transportation Planner
919-996-4400
Email