LANTA, Family Answers, ShareCare Faith in Action, The Center for Vision Loss and Independent Senior Transportation Lehigh Valley are seeking the funding.
A regional transportation committee will decide this week whether to allocate nearly $1 million in transportation funds to help senior citizens, the poor and the visually impaired.
LANTA, Family Answers, ShareCare Faith in Action, Center for Vision Loss and Independent Senior Transportation Lehigh Valley all submitted applications for Federal Transit Administration's Job Access Reverse Commute and New Freedom program funds to fill gaps in their transportation services.
This is the last round of applicants for this funding source, said Michael Donchez, senior transportation planner of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study's technical committee unanimously voted to recommend approval of the applications at a recent meeting. The coordinating committee will vote on the measure at its Wednesday meeting, Donchez said. Each organization plans to enhance service with the combined $855,238.
Owen O'Neil, LANTA's director of planning, said the organization would use the funds to purchase five paratransit vans; to offer its paratransit service later in the evening and for additional hours on Sundays; and to enhance bus service in Fogelsville and in the Airport Road area. LANTA requested $851,000 but the recommendation is for $481,380.
"This funding will allow LANTA to enhance not only the service we operate to address the goals of the JARC and New Freedom programs but also the equipment we use to provide that service," he said.
Allentown-based Family Answers seeks funding for its Ways to Work program, which helps those with little or poor credit obtain vehicles, said Pat Gorman, director of development. The loans could be used for a used car or car repairs, she said.
The organization's request matches the recommendation of $160,000.
The program also offers financial literacy and budgeting classes, Gorman said. The people who use the program usually spend a couple hours on the bus per day, she said, going to and from work and taking their children to school. The program is designed to increase family time and make the work or school commute easier, Gorman said.
"It's a wonderful program," she said.
The Center for Vision Loss' request of $70,000 matches the recommendation.
Karen Huetter, development director, said The Center for Vision Loss provides door-through-door service for those with severe low vision or blindness. It uses buses and mini-vans to take people grocery shopping, to doctor's appointments and more. The driver guides those who use the service, she said.
"There's a real need for the service in the community," Huetter said.
ShareCare is expected to receive $50,000 and Independent Senior Transportation $93,858.
ShareCare is seeking funds for a transportation coordinator position to operate door-through-door transit service for the elderly and disabled. Independent Senior Transportation needs to fund the executive director position and associated expenses.