Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) is required to develop a Coordinated Plan for the tri-county region. The plan identifies local transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and persons with low incomes, and facilitates applications for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 grant program. 

AMBAG is required to develop a Coordinated Plan for the tri-county region to improve transit for individuals that are elderly, disabled, and/or low-income. This is accomplished through identifying where the transit system can better meet these individual’s needs, and then identifying projects or changes which would help alleviate these shortcomings. The plan identifies local transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and persons with low incomes, and facilitates applications for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 grant program. 

The projects and changes identified in the Coordinated Pan are made eligible for Federal funding. The FAST Act legislation requires that the Coordinated Plan be used in developing grant applications for the Section 5310 grant program. The 5310 program provides formula funding to assist private non-profit groups and transit operators in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs. The funds are apportioned based on each State’s share of population for these groups of people and are awarded to projects through a statewide competitive selection process. In the past, this funding source has been used by transit agencies to replace or purchase new paratransit vehicles, as well as for operating expenses.

The Coordinated Plan, as required by the 2015 FAST Act, must include the following elements:

• An assessment of available services and current transportation providers (public, private, and non-profit);
• An assessment of transportation needs for seniors and persons with disabilities. This assessment can be based on the experiences and perceptions of the planning partners or on more sophisticated data collection efforts, and gaps in service;
• Strategies, activities, and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs, as well as opportunities to achieve efficiencies in service delivery; and
• Priorities for implementation based on resources (from multiple program sources), time, and feasibility for implementing specific strategies and/or activities.

The Coordinated Plan is developed in coordination with Caltrans, San Benito County Local Transportation Authority, Monterey – Salinas Transit, Santa Cruz METRO, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, San Benito County Council of Governments, and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, as well as the Planning Directors Forum which includes the local jurisdictions. Below are key dates for developing the 2022 Coordinated Plan:

• March- April 2022: Present an overview of the 2022 Coordinated Plan development process to regional Advisory Committees/Councils, Planning Directors Forum, and to the AMBAG Board of Directors
• April- August 2022: Develop the Draft Coordinated Plan
• August- October 2022: Present the Draft 2022 Coordinated Plan to regional Advisory Committees/Councils, Planning Directors Forum, and to the AMBAG Board of Directors
• September 15- October 17, 2022: 30-Day Public Comment Period
• October 2022: Prepare the Final 2022 Coordinated Plan
• November 9, 2022: AMBAG Board of Directors will be asked to adopt the Final 2022 Coordinated Plan