Public Transportation Projects

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5311 Program

Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to apportion funds to the Governor of each state for public transportation projects in non-urbanized (rural) areas. The funds, appropriated annually, are apportioned on a population-based formula to each county, and may be used for transportation planning, capital purchases, operating expenses, and administrative assistance. CFRPC administers the Section 5311 program for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties and submits a grant application annually to the District Florida Department of Transportation.

The CFRPC uses Section 5311 funds to: enhance the access of people in the three-county service area to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services and other life-sustaining activities, through the Transportation Disadvantaged Community Transportation Coordinated System. The Section 5311 program supports the national policy stated in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA): "to develop a National Intermodal Transportation System that is economically efficient and environmentally sound, (and which includes) significant improvements in public transportation necessary to achieve national goals for improved... mobility for elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged persons in urban and rural areas of the country."

The rural Central Florida counties of Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee are without public transportation systems. With the exception of Highlands County, the area is without equitable medical and social service facilities for residents. For medical services, many residents travel to metropolitan areas outside of the three county area. FTA Section 5311 funds are used to finance the cost of transporting general public persons to life-sustaining support facilities within the service area and to facilities in nearby metropolitan areas.

The bulk of operating funds received by the CFRPC are dedicated to the combined county Coordinated Transportation System and provide actual trips to persons meeting eligibility criteria. The remaining funds are used by CFRPC to administer the grant.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 Program

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council also administers the Section 5310 Capital Procurement Grant funds.  Capital equipment must be used to transport elderly persons and persons with disabilities.   Each District Department of Transportation solicits grant applications annually.   Funds are awarded based on evaluation criteria and a review teams's prioritization of the projects.  These funds are provided at 80% Federal, 10% State, and 10% local.

The Council has been awarded funds to purchase vehicles which areused in the Coordinated Community Transportation System in Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.  Staff monitors maintenance records and conducts safety reviews in accordance with state laws and regulations.