Summary#
This bill encourages wider use of same day paratransit for people with disabilities and sets national minimum standards for paratransit software. It amends federal transit grant programs (sections 5310, 5307, 5311) so capital projects directly related to same day paratransit can receive a federal share equal to 90 percent of net capital costs. It also creates higher operating grant match levels for projects that provide same day service and meet the Administrator's minimum standards.
What it means for you#
- Riders with disabilities: The bill aims to expand access to same day paratransit options and to require software and apps to meet accessibility and data rules.
- Transit agencies and providers: Agencies can qualify for higher federal matching shares for capital and operating costs if they offer same day paratransit that meets the new standards. Agencies must use software that meets those standards within set timelines.
- Technology vendors: New federal minimum standards would apply to third-party paratransit software purchased with affected federal funds.
Expenses#
- Capital grants: For capital projects directly related to same day paratransit, the bill raises the federal share to 90 percent of net capital costs (applies to sections 5310, 5307, and 5311 amendments).
- Operating assistance: Grants may cover up to 50 percent of net operating costs generally; up to 70 percent for same day paratransit that meets the Administrator's minimum standards; and up to 80 percent where the project meets standards and uses vehicles operated exclusively by personnel employed by the grantee.
- Section 5311 includes an exception for certain States (per section 120(b) of title 23) giving a Government share equal to 62.5 percent of the Government share provided under paragraph (1)(B).
- Software compliance timing: The Administrator must publish minimum standards within 1 year. Beginning 1 year after final standards are published, funds under sections 5307 and 5310 cannot buy paratransit software that does not meet the standards; beginning 2 years after publication, the same restriction applies to funds under section 5311.
- No overall dollar total or new appropriations are specified in the bill text. No publicly available information on total cost estimates.
Proponents' View#
The bill text states that same day paratransit advances independence, equity, and dignity for people with disabilities and can improve access to work, healthcare, and community life. It cites technological advances (real-time routing, APIs, mobile apps) that can enable same day service and refers to an FTA Dear Colleague letter encouraging use of existing formula funds. The text also cites a Transit Cooperative Research Program example (MBTA's RIDE Flex) showing increased trips and lower operational spend after adding same day service.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.