PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to help Rhode Islanders with limited mobility better utilize public transportation, U.S. Senator Jack Reed and Governor Dan McKee announced that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is receiving a nearly $100,000 federal grant to develop a new Statewide Travel Training Network in partnership with public and private-sector organizations serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, minorities, and lower income individuals.  The $96,000 federal grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) program, will be utilized by RIPTA, in partnership with other agencies and transportation providers, to make it easier for Rhode Islanders to navigate the process of scheduling and accessing transportation services.

The ICAM program is designed to enhance access to transportation services and public transportation by expanding partnerships between health, transportation, and other service providers.  RIPTA will take the lead in developing a shared training curriculum and mobility management network to help travelers gain skills and confidence in using public transit and other mobility services.  By providing training resources for case managers, caregivers, senior center staff, and other service providers, the Rhode Island Statewide Travel Training Network will introduce a variety of transportation options to thousands of Rhode Islanders experiencing limited mobility. This will ultimately give them the ability to plan and take trips independently so that they can participate in community activities and lead healthier lives.

Rhode Island was one 16 states to win competitive ICAM funding from this round of $8.4 million in federal grants geared toward improving public transportation for underserved groups, with a focus on health and wellness.

“Today’s news is pro-transit.  I’ve fought and won more funding for RIPTA every year and that’s meant hundreds of millions of dollars for transit because I’m a believer in transit. This federal funding will help improve the safety, availability and convenience of transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, and underserved populations.  The goal is to ensure everyone has access to safe, reliable transportation when and where they need it. These ICAM funds will remove barriers and help RIPTA coordinate with its partners on a streamlined system that makes getting a ride more efficient for everyone,” said Senator Reed.

“The ICAM grant will help accelerate our State’s ability to improve transportation resources for Rhode Islanders with limited mobility,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I thank Senator Reed for his unwavering support of public transportation and continued commitment to improving mobility access.”

“We’re excited that this ICAM grant will help provide an opportunity for RIPTA to partner with community-driven organizations and utilize our resources to develop coordinated travel training programs to help people plan and take trips independently with confidence,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA Chief Executive Officer. 

By creating a Statewide Travel Training Network, RIPTA and its public and non-profit partners have an opportunity to leverage their current training resources and collaborate to improve training delivery. Ultimately, this multi-agency effort will enhance community access to existing transportation services and may underscore the need for new services.  The Rhode Island Travel Training Network will target disadvantaged communities that are low income and have high transportation cost burden and/or low transportation access, as well as transit dependency associated with income, disability, or lack of access to a private vehicle.

Several key organizations/agencies provided support for this grant and will help RIPTA coordinate its implementation, including: RI Office of Healthy Aging; RI Senior Center Directors Association; RI Dept. of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals; RI Office of Rehabilitation Services; Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL);  RI Dept. of Health;  RI Dept. of Human Services; and  RI Association of Community Action Agencies.

Senator Reed, a member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transportation programs and the FTA, helped include $24 million for ICAM in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).

More information on public transit and alternative transportation options like ridesharing and paratransit service through the RIde Program, is available on RIPTA’s website.