Lifeline Transportation Program

Providing Equitable Access to Mobility

MTC’s Lifeline Transportation Program supports projects that address mobility and accessibility needs in low-income communities throughout the region. It is funded by a combination of federal and state operating and capital funding sources, including the Federal Transit Administration’s Jobs Access and Reverse Commute Program, and state Proposition 1B Transit Capital and State Transit Assistance programs.

In 2005, MTC affirmed its commitment to the program in the regional transportation plan by adopting an Access to Mobility goal, which calls on MTC to further advance the region’s understanding and efforts to improve mobility for older adults, the disabled, low-income persons and schoolchildren. The Commission also dedicated $216 million of new funds to be available beginning in fiscal year 2009 for transportation projects that address the mobility needs of low-income communities.

To jump-start the program before funds became available in 2009, MTC approved an additional $18 million interim Lifeline funding program in 2005.

Regional program guidelines were established with the goal of funding community-based transportation projects developed through a collaborative and inclusive process. Projects need to address transportation gaps or barriers identified in locally based needs assessments.

In 2006, 39 projects were funded through the first interim funding cycle (PDF) totaling $18 million. A second funding cycle in 2009 (PDF) funded an additional 84 projects totaling more than $57 million. In 2012, a third cycle (PDF) provided approximately $87 million to more than 90 projects. Projects include a variety of solutions tailored to local priorities, including fixed-route transit, transit stop improvements, pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, senior and children’s transportation, community shuttles, auto loan programs, and mobility management activities.

Local Administration

To build upon local collaboration and coordination efforts in identifying community transportation needs and advancing solutions, the Lifeline Transportation Program is generally administered at the county level by county congestion management agencies (CMAs), which also oversee MTC's Community Based Transportation Planning Program. Contacts for the Lifeline Transportation Program for each county are listed below. For most funds/projects, Lifeline Transportation Program Administrators are responsible for determining eligibility of proposals and appointing a local review team for evaluating proposals. Please contact Lifeline Transportation Program Administrators for specific county deadlines.

For more information about MTC’s Lifeline Transportation Program, contact Kristen Mazur: 510/817.5789, or kmazur@mtc.ca.gov.