Transportation applications available

COLUMBUS -- Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Transit says applications for the department's Specialized Transportation Program are available.
The program provides federal funding for the purchase of vehicles by private, nonprofit agencies or state-approved coordination projects to meet the special transportation needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
The federal funds provide 80 percent of the cost of capital items with the remaining 20 percent to be provided by the applicant from nonfederal sources. Eligible equipment includes vehicles ranging from standard minivans to lift-equipped small buses. Specifics on eligible equipment are listed in the "Vehicle Catalog and Selection Guide," published by ODOT.
"Elderly people and people with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries of the transportation services provided with accessible vehicles purchased through this program," said Marianne Freed, administrator, ODOT Office of Transit.
In urban areas, the local Metropolitan Planning Organizations will be having informational meetings on the STP. Dates and times of these meetings may be obtained from ODOT's Web site or by contacting the MPO directly. Applications are due to ODOT in October and awards will be made in January. For more information on the STP, go to www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans.