Note:  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding for Job Acess and Reverse Commute (section 5316) and New Freedom (section 5317) is administered by the Mid Region Council of Governments, and is only applicable for agencies or organizations within the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area ( see the map).  Funding for the non-urbanized areas of the region is available through the New Mexico Department of Transportation Request for Proposal page.

How it Works 

The Mid Region Council of Governments receives section 5316 and 5317 federal transportation funds for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area, and makes them available to eligible agencies and organizations via a competitive process. Federal transit law requires that Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom funding be derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.

As a result, the Mid-Region Council of Governments developed the Coordinated Transportation Plan over a 15-month period, in a cooperative manner, with ABQRide, Los Lunas Transit, Rio Transit, Rio Metro, the New Mexico Department of Transportation, and many other agencies.

•  DRAFT Coordinated Transportation Plan 1.95 Mb
•  Coordinated Transportation Plan Appendices 437.62 Kb

Job Access and Reverse Commute Funding

The goal of the Job Access and Reverse Commute program (JARC) is to improve access to transportation services to employment and employment-related activities for welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals, and, to transport residents of urbanized areas and non-urbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities. Toward this goal, the Federal Transit Administration provides financial assistance for transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the transportation needs of eligible low-income individuals, and of reverse commuters regardless of income.

More information about JARC is available online from the United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration.

Application is due October 22, 2007.  All application instructions are included in the guide.

•  Application Guide
•  Job Access and Reverse Commute (section 5316) Application 

New Freedom Program Funding

The New Freedom formula grant program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society.

Lack of adequate transportation is a primary barrier to work for individuals with disabilities. The 2000 Census showed that only 60 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 64 with disabilities are employed. The New Freedom formula grant program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

More information about New Freedom is available online from the United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration.

Application is due October 22, 2007.  All application instructions are included in the guide.

•  Application Guide
•  New Freedom (section 5317) Application 

Contact:  Bruce Rizzieri ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )