Cincinnati, Ohio – The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) Board President and Kenton County Judge Executive Kris Knochelmann announced today more than $1.3 million will be awarded to various transit projects throughout the region. These projects will improve transportation access for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
“This funding will assist in providing transportation to those who would otherwise have no options,” said Knochelmann. “These projects have the potential to positively impact the lives of citizens in the eight county OKI region.”
A total of ten projects will receive federal funding totaling $1,344,665
| Agency | Funding Amount |
| Cancer Justice Network | $160,538 |
| Catch-a-Ride/Lifetime Resources | $31,640 |
| Cincinnati Area Senior Services | $115,608 |
| Clermont Senior Services | $110,370 |
| Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | $165,000 |
| Maple Knoll Communities | $112,280 |
| Northern Kentucky Area Development District | $206,665 |
| Partners in Prime | $85,140 |
| Butler County Regional Transit Authority | $357,424 |
Federal funding was made available through the Section 5310 – Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program. The goal of this program is to provide formula funding to states for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.
“As a not-for-profit organization, Clermont Senior Services is incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to apply for 5310 Specialized Transportation Program funding. These federal dollars ensure that we are able to provide safe and efficient transit services to older adults in Clermont County,” said Bill DeHass, Community Services Director of Clermont County Seniors.
OKI was identified as the Designated Recipient for Section 5310 federal funds allocated to the Cincinnati urbanized area by the Governors of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana in 2014. Additional details may be found at www.oki.org.
Butler County Regional Transit Authority
Operations and Mobility Management
Amount Funded: $357,424
Partners in Prime
We are requesting wheelchair accessible vans specifically modified minivans to help us become more efficient and to provide more services to more people more often. These types of vans have been the most versatile for helping us transport our current demographic of clients.
Amount Funded: $85,140
Northern Kentucky Area Development District
With this application we are seeking additional funding for program personnel that would cover January 2021 to June 2023. With this additional funding, we believe we can implement several new revenue sources to fund program activities, including those outlined above. Additionally, there are several other program goals we hope to achieve to improve the transportation services within the region.
Amount Funded: $206,665
Maple Knoll Communities
Maple Knoll Outreach Services for Seniors is in dire need of a replacement vehicle to aid us in our service to seniors located in Cincinnati, Ohio in Hamilton County. We have 7 in our present fleet, and utilize all of them with regularity.
Amount Funded: $112,280
Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The project goal would be to provide safe travel instruction for at least 300 people who are blind or visually impaired within a one year period from receipt of the grant. Services would also include evaluation and instruction in Orientation and Mobility that provides safe travel skills training in protective techniques, use of the white cane, and bus travel.
Amount Funded: $165,000
Clermont Senior Services
The two (2) vehicles being requested will be used to replace vehicles from the current fleet that are nearing the end of their useful life.
Amount Funded: $110,370
Cincinnati Area Senior Services
2 Light Transient Vehicles to replace existing vehicles in the fleet. In addition to vehicles we are requesting funding for on board cameras for all vehicles. This will reduce risk for both drivers and riders and improve overall quality improvement.
Amount Funded: $115,608
Catch-a-Ride – Lifetime Resources
Web Ride Request add-on feature for the Easy Rides dispatching software that we are currently utilizing. The Web Ride Request feature would decrease the time that dispatchers and clients spend scheduling rides over the phone, while increasing client satisfaction and online visibility of their upcoming trips. It has potential to increase overall trip volumes as well.
Amount Funded: $31,640
Cancer Justice Network
Continuation funding of a currently-funded FTA Section 5310 Mobility Management Program being operated by the Cancer Justice Network (CJN). CJN provides mobility management services to very-low income cancer patients seeking screening and ongoing treatment, using Cancer Navigators cross-trained to be Mobility Managers, while helping patients navigate the complexities of medical providers.
Amount Funded: $160,538