MA-2021-051

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) requests a total of $3,830,380 of FFY2021 Section 5311 American Rescue Act (ARP) funds. This amount constitutes 100% of ARP 5311 funds and ARP 5311(F) Intercity funds allocated to Massachusetts. This application utilizes ARP funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

Per the ARP Act, the grant requests 100% federal share, and the activities in this application are not required to be programmed in the long-range transportation plan or statewide transportation improvement program.

Projects included in this grant are:

1) Operating assistance to (3) rural transit authorities (FRTA, VTA, NRTA) and (1) partially rural transit authority (BRTA). A total of $2,385,795 will be provided to support rural transit operations in Massachusetts.

2) Intercity operating assistance - A total of $1,040,125 will be used to support the following intercity bus operators: Peter Pan Bus Lines Inc.; Greyhound Lines Inc.; DATTCO; Jalbert Leasing DBA CJ Bus Lines; and Basil S. Kinson DBA Coach Co.

3) State administration and technical assistance - $318,105 will be used to support state administration and technical assistance related to the 5311 program.

4) Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) - $86,355 will be used to provide training opportunities to drivers in rural areas.

MassDOT is charged with managing all modes of transportation within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MassDOT has oversight responsibility for the Registry of Motor Vehicles Division, the Aeronautics Division, the Highway Division, and the Rail Transit Division. MassDOT Transit provides fiscal guidance and oversight over all fifteen (15) Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) providing local bus transit across the Commonwealth.

MassDOT agrees that if it receives federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or through a pass-through entity through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, a different federal agency, or insurance proceeds for any portion of a project activity approved for FTA funding under this grant agreement, it will provide written notification to FTA and reimburse FTA for any federal share that duplicates funding provided by FEMA, another federal agency, or an insurance company.

While FTA is making this award, we are in the process of reviewing documentation furnished in response to possible questioned costs and unauthorized use of FTA funded assets associated with MassDOT's BusPlus program. Should questioned costs, improper management of the program, and/or misuse of FTA funded assets be determined, corrective action(s) may be taken, repayment of previously dispersed funds may be required, and a return of funds may be processed. MassDOT must ensure that the private operators adhere to the terms and conditions of their BusPlus program service and maintenance agreements and any service and maintenance agreement extensions, including but not limited to the following: operator agrees to operate coach(es) for regularly scheduled regional (intercity commuter) bus service only. The use of coaches for charter, sightseeing, special contract, and other non-regularly scheduled route purposes is prohibited. The coaches may not be used for third-party contracts of any sort unless MassDOT Rail and Transit Division gives advance approval in writing. Operator agrees to operate the coach(es) in accordance with the requirements applicable to a carrier set forth in the BusPlus+ program guidance.

MassDOT is current with all civil rights submissions. The FY21 certifications and assurances were executed in TRAMS on 3/4/2021. All administrative and statutory requirements have been met in accordance with the 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas program as articulated in FTA Circular 9040.1G.

Massachusetts Executive Office Of Transportation

20.509 - Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program

FTA Region 1 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Massachusetts United States

State-Wide

None