At its meeting yesterday, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) approved funding for 25 projects that support mobility for older adults and individuals with disabilities across the region. The $10.7 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility program removes barriers to transportation services and expands transportation mobility options.

The awarded projects fall under the categories of vehicle acquisition, mobility management, travel training, and others. 14 of the 25 projects are for vehicle acquisition, which will fund 44 vehicles to provide service to eligible clients.

“It is a privilege for our board to identify and champion these impactful projects, which are essential to expanding transportation access for all our residents. By investing in these initiatives, we are taking meaningful steps to create more inclusive, accessible, and connected communities across the region,” said TPB Chair and Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

This year’s grant winners are advancing regional accessibility across five key categories. Some highlighted projects include WMATA (for the Vehicle Acquisition category) adding eight minivans for disability transport, while Capitol Hill Village (for Mobility Management) expands door-to-door senior services. The Arc of Northern Virginia (for Travel Training) is maintaining an app for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to help users better navigate the transportation network, and Coach Transportation, for the Taxi/Ridehailing category, is increasing its wheelchair-accessible fleet. Finally, Montgomery County (Infrastructure) is upgrading bus stops for better physical access in communities with a high percentage of older adults and persons with disabilities. These are just some of the beneficial projects advancing a more inclusive and connected transportation network.

At least every two years, the TPB solicits Enhanced Mobility grant applications. A TPB selection committee, chaired by City of Alexandria Council Member Canek Aguirre and comprised of aging, disability, transit, and human services experts, reviewed and recommended projects for TPB approval. Since 2014, the TPB has approved more than $57 million in Enhanced Mobility funding including federal grants and local matching funds.