Alaska transit providers have until Sept. 18 to signal grant plans

Transit providers and human service agencies serving Alaska seniors, riders with disabilities and Mental Health Trust beneficiaries must file an Intent to Apply by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18 to seek state transportation funding. The Alaska Community Transit Office opened the application window Aug. 10 for its state fiscal year 2028 Human Services Transportation grants. Notice and application materials are posted at dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/transit/. Questions go to [email protected].

The office, part of the state transportation department, manages Federal Transit Administration funds for 11 rural transit subrecipients, according to Governor Mike Dunleavy's July 16 Rural Transit Day proclamation.

Brenda Sheldon told a Feb. 20 Long Range Transportation Plan focus group that when seniors stop driving, "they still have to go to their doctor's appointment. From the nutritional standpoint, they still need to get to the grocery store."

Separately, the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center will award up to five Community Rides grants of up to $100,000 each from a $500,000 pool. The grants fund projects expanding access to health care, jobs, education, healthy food and social services. Public transit providers, tribal transit agencies, local governments and nonprofits with community partners may apply by 5 p.m. Eastern time Oct. 19. A webinar on the program starts at 9 a.m. Alaska time Sept. 8. The council plans to announce awards Nov. 15, begin technical assistance Dec. 1 and launch pilot projects Feb. 1, 2027.