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RTA Seeks Innovative Projects for Funding Programs |
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The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is soliciting prospective projects for its Funding Programs Call for Projects which will begin on April 7, 2010. These programs provide financial support for planning, operating, and capital transit projects.
The Call for Projects will allow potential applicants an opportunity to pitch project ideas that are innovative and will increase transit usage, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the region’s current transit system, provide for better mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, or improve job access.
Prospective projects should be located within the six-county RTA service region which consists of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. Last year, the RTA allocated more than $11 million in federal, state and local funding to support innovative projects that offered a plethora of transit options to applicants through transit-oriented development and local transit improvement plans, introduction of services and capital improvements.
Visit the RTA Funding Programs webpage at www.rtachicago.com/programs for general background information and to download an application. The deadline to submit applications is June 10, 2010.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
All projects funded through the following programs are consistent with the legislative mandates. The programs range from planning studies and initiatives to transit operating and capital projects.
Community Planning Program
The Community Planning Program is available to municipalities to create plans for local station area/transit-oriented development (TOD), local transit improvement, TOD guidelines, local coordinated paratransit plans and detailed implementation studies. More information regarding the Community Planning Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/cp .
Subregional Planning Program
The Subregional Planning Program is available to counties, townships, councils of Mayors, the City of Chicago, and the CTA, Metra, and Pace. Eligible planning projects include Subregional and market focused plans such as transit service restructuring studies or efforts focused on developing specific market opportunities; countywide or Subregional transit improvement studies, transit-oriented development studies and paratransit studies. More information regarding the Subregional Planning Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/srp .
Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) / New Freedom (NF) Program
The JARC/NF program is available to local governments, transportation agencies, and the CTA, Metra and Pace for operating and capital projects derived from the RTA Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) that enhance mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and low income populations, address reverse commute markets and/or provide access to jobs. More information regarding the JARC/NF Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/jarcnf .
Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Program
The ICE Program is a competitive funding program, established as part of the 2008 Mass Transit Reform Legislation. The program provides operating and capital assistance to enhance the coordination and integration of public transportation and to develop and implement innovations to improve the quality and delivery of public transportation. Projects funded through this program advance the vision and goals of the RTA Strategic Plan by providing reliable and convenient transit services and enhancing efficiencies through effective management, innovation and technology. More information regarding the ICE Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/ice.
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