NH-2022-017

The Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) is requesting $3,023,168 of Section 5307/5310 formula funds for operating assistance, preventive maintenance, ADA assistance, mobility management, and planning activities for the period July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 (detailed descriptions for these activities are included in the program budget).

This grant will fund activities for the Manchester Transit Authority and the Greater Derry-Salem Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation (CART). CART's activities were merged into MTA's operations on 10/01/2019. CART's branding for service is being maintained by MTA in the Greater Derry-Salem area.

MTA is a direct recipient of FTA Section 5307 funding through the Manchester NH Urbanized Area, and CART was a direct recipient of FTA Section 5307 funding through the Nashua NH-MA Urbanized Area and a recipient of FTA Section 5307 funding from the Boston MA-NH-RI Urbanized Area.

The authority is requesting the use of $3,023,168 of funding across the following sources. The New Hampshire split letters for FY2020 (07/20/2020) and FY2021 (04/08/2022) are attached. The MOU letters for 2020 and 2021 between MTA/CART, Nashua Transit System, and Lowell Regional Transit Authority are attached. FFY 2020 5307 Nashua UZA apportionment is $235,715 for CART. FFY 2021 5307 Nashua UZA apportionment is $337,617 for CART. FFY 2020 5310 Nashua UZA apportionment is $111,028 for CART. FFY 2021 5310 Nashua UZA apportionment is $45,311 for CART. FFY 2020 5307 New Hampshire Small Urban apportionment is $2,293,497 for MTA.

Purpose: The funding will be obligated to support MTA's FY23 operating preventive maintenance, ADA complementary paratransit, mobility management, and planning activities.

Activities to be performed: MTA will fund annual operating preventive maintenance, ADA complementary paratransit, mobility management, and planning activities. Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) will use these funds for preventive maintenance of its vehicle fleet, equipment, and facilities for MTA's FY 2023 fiscal year running from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The estimated operating budget as defined by NTD for FY 2023 is $5,108,566, of which $652,500 is projected to consist of preventive maintenance costs for mechanics' salary/fringe benefits, maintenance of equipment and facilities, excluding funds applied to warranty recovery. This grant will apply federal funds of $522,000 to this allowable share. The estimated ADA cost projected for FY 2021 is $441,250. This grant will apply $353,000 (FY 2020 20% under FAST ACT) of the allowable share. MTA is using 20 percent of the amounts apportioned under Section 5307 for ADA complementary paratransit service at an 80 percent federal share because MTA has demonstrated meeting the following requirements: (I) provides an active fixed route travel training program that is available for riders with disabilities, (II) provides that all fixed route and paratransit operators participate in a passenger safety disability awareness and sensitivity training class on at least a biennial basis.

Expected outcomes: This grant will provide financial assistance that will allow MTA to continue operating fixed route, demand response, express, and ADA paratransit services. Preventive maintenance activities will allow MTA to maintain its fleet and facilities in a state of good repair. Mobility management will support MTA's call center that provides scheduling for the core of MTA demand response service in Manchester, Greater Derry-Salem, and coordination with Rockingham Nutrition Meals on Wheels. Planning activities will include short-range and long-range transit service planning.

Intended beneficiaries: Continued operating assistance and preventive maintenance will benefit the residents and commuters within the Greater Manchester and Salem/Derry service areas. MTA is the largest transit provider in NH, performing fixed route paratransit service in the Greater Manchester area and demand response and route deviation services in the 5 towns of Derry, Londonderry, Salem, Hampstead, and Chester, NH.

Subrecipient activities: N/A

The local matching funds are generated through an annual appropriation of subsidy from the City of Manchester, five member towns of Derry, Salem, Londonderry, Hampstead, and Chester, partnerships with local businesses, and bus/shelter advertising revenue. Federal transit law requires that projects selected for funding under the Section 5310 program be included in a locally developed coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. Attached is a draft coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan for the Greater Manchester-Derry-Salem region (RCC Region 8). The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) anticipates adoption of the new plan on 9/15/2022. MTA and the RPC will keep the regional office informed of the status of approval for the coordinated plan.

MTA executed the FFY22 certifications and assurances on 02/07/2022. The activities included in this grant are included in the FY2021-2024 element of the NH STIP approved in March 2022. MTA is current with all civil rights submissions. All administrative and statutory requirements have been met in accordance with the 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program as articulated in FTA Circular 9030.1.E and 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Guidance and Application Instructions Circular 9070.1G.

Manchester Transit Authority

NOT APPLICABLE

20.507 - Federal Transit Formula Grants

FTA Region 1 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

New Hampshire United States

State-Wide

NOT APPLICABLE

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 3184% from $156,339 to $5,133,502.