Bus and Bus Facilities Program Funds: Solicitation of Project Proposals for Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI) Grants

Notice of Availability of Fiscal Year 2011 FTA Bus and Bus Facilities Program Funds: Solicitation of Project Proposals for Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Grants (VTCLI). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of discretionary Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facilities grant funds in support of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM or Coordinating Council) Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI or Initiative). This grant opportunity will be funded using $30 million in unallocated Discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities Program funds, authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5309(b) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59, August 10, 2005. This VTCLI grant opportunity makes funds available to local governmental agencies to finance capital costs of implementing, expanding, or increasing access to local One-Call/One-Click Transportation Resource Centers. These Centers simplify access to transportation for the public by connecting customers in one place to rides and transportation options provided in their locality by a variety of transportation providers and programs. This notice includes priorities established by the Coordinating Council's partnership for these discretionary funds, the criteria the interagency review panel will use to identify meritorious projects for funding, and describes how to apply. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will make mobility management training assistance and support available to Veteran�s Affairs networks in communities selected for award. The Department of Labor (DOL) will make social communication technologies and training available to selected grantees in order to actively engage veterans, military service personnel and families as well as others in the community in the development of plans to better respond to the transportation needs of veterans and military service families.