On February 12, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor announced the winners of the Community Innovation Challenge Grant. Twenty-seven programs spanning 162 cities and towns received awards. Acton, in partnership with Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford, received $60,000 to expand and implement the municipality-led Transportation Management Association (TMA) currently under development. This innovative project brings employers to the table with town government, Councils on Aging, Regional Transit Authorities, and other stakeholders to coordinate transportation services and increase transportation options for seniors, people with disabilities, and all town residents.

Acton Selectman Mike Gowing says the grant will help area residents find and keep jobs: "Transportation is social justice. By providing good transportation for those who can't afford a car or those who are unable to drive, it is the difference between working and not." Transportation advocate Franny Osman points out that participating employers benefit, too: "Businesses in our area benefit from employees being able to reach them via the 'last mile' from the train or other parts of the region, and by customers being free to travel regardless of access to car or license. The first business to join the partnership was Clock Tower Place in Maynard. They provide free shuttle to their office park from the train because it helps draw commercial tenants."

One way to help ensure that transportation services meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities is to include members of these groups in the planning process. With funding from the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living, CTAA and other national partners recently released an RFP for demonstration projects that involve seniors and/or people with disabilities in planning, design, or implementation of coordinated transportation systems or processes. Applications are due March 20. Find the RFP and more information at http://transitplanning4all.org.

On February 25, travel instruction staff from Regional Transit Authorities, transportation providers, and others interested in community transportation gathered in Worcester for the first in-person meeting of the Massachusetts Travel Instruction Network. Staff from Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) presented on WRTA's travel instruction program, and meeting participants asked questions and shared information from their own programs. Among other topics, the group discussed the importance of developing strong relationships with local human service agencies and the benefits of doing outreach to bus drivers. If you have an idea for a future meeting topic or would like to join the network, please contact us.

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HST has launched a calendar of mobility management events and funding opportunities for Massachusetts.

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