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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he has secured a $544,963 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Tompkins County to expand bus service specifically targeted to help low-income residents get to and from work. Hinchey used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to obtain the funds, which were approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2003, 2004, and 2005 budgets, but are just being administered to Tompkins County now.
"By providing transportation to job sites, this grant will help create job opportunities for Tompkins County residents who may not otherwise be able to apply for and accept such jobs since they wouldn't have any way of getting from home to work," Hinchey said. "In creating new job opportunities through this transit program, we are helping Tompkins County residents improve their quality of life and better support themselves and their families. This grant will have a significant impact on the lives of families throughout Tompkins County."
The new federal grant will be used to expand the operations of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit's (TCAT) Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, which specifically targets low-income and welfare recipients. TCAT will expand public transit service to underserved employment centers, urban neighborhoods and rural towns; operate a new Guaranteed Ride Home Program for TCAT pass users; and provide marketing coordination for the JARC program.
Tim Joseph, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature said, "One of the biggest barriers for people trying to move off public assistance and become self- supporting is transportation to and from work. This is a major contribution to helping them deal with that situation."
Other new fixed route services will include commuter shuttle service from park & ride lots during weekdays and weekend service to underserved retail employers in areas of new commercial and future residential development. Tompkins County Department of Social Services will implement a travel broker to create individual trip plans for the public, targeted to TANF and JARC-eligible low income persons; provide outreach to employers and employees; implement ridesharing, gas cards, subscription van, night taxi, car-sharing and other flexible transportation services for TANF and JARC-eligible recipients.
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