Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves FY27 Go Wake Access Community Transportation grant application
Summary
The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved submission of the FY 2027 Community Transportation Program application to NCDOT to support Go Wake Access operations and vehicle replacement, including a capital request tied to 18 wheelchair lift vans.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved submission of the FY 2027 Community Transportation Program (CTP) grant application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Division, to support Go Wake Access operations and vehicle replacement.
Anita Davis, Medicaid Transportation Manager for Go Wake Access, told commissioners the department requested just over $300,000 for administrative expenses and roughly $2,000,000 for capital replacement in FY27, including funds to replace 18 wheelchair‑accessible vans. Go Wake Access reported providing roughly 139,000 trips in fiscal 2025 across Medicaid‑mandated and non‑mandated programs, operating a fleet of 72 wheelchair‑accessible vans (four of those on the SmartRide NE program). The department provided ridership trends showing a 32% decrease in Medicaid trips and a 41% decrease in non‑Medicaid trips from FY24 to FY25, while SmartRide ridership rose about 23%.
Davis explained the decrease in Medicaid trips reflected Medicaid program changes tied to Medicaid transformation and tailored plans; some customers moved to non‑county transport options administered by managed‑care plans. She said non‑mandated trips (employment, rural general public and other services) were scaled back in FY25 to absorb increased operational costs.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about SmartRide demand in the northeast (Zebulon, Wendell, Knightdale), bus and high‑school connections, dispatch and accessibility concerns for riders with disabilities, complaint handling and training for contractors, and the feasibility of more energy‑efficient vehicles. Davis said SmartRide demand remains high in Zebulon, and the department is completing a vehicle‑fleet feasibility study on vehicle and infrastructure options including hybrids or battery‑electric vehicles.
After a public hearing with no speakers, the board voted to approve the application and related certifications and assurances. Commissioner Thomas moved the resolution and Commissioner Jackson seconded. The motion recorded approval for submission in the amount of $2,375,522 to NCDOT; the board approved the application.
