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NECCOG director: elderly and disabled transit ridership remains depressed; Safe Routes grant and TRIP deadlines highlighted
Summary
NECCOG Executive Director John Filchak reported Elderly & Disabled ridership remains well below pre-pandemic levels, cited service reductions and a new minivan to reduce costs, and outlined TRIP application deadlines and a $160,000 federal Safe Routes grant with a $40,000 local match.
John Filchak, NECCOG Executive Director, told the council that Elderly & Disabled ridership for NECTD "has not rebounded and continues to lag well below pre-pandemic levels," and that service was reduced from up to three buses five days per week before the pandemic to one driver and three days per week today.
Filchak said that some riders have found alternate transportation or use virtual appointments, and that a persistent shortage of drivers has constrained service. He noted NECTD recently acquired a minivan for the elderly-and-disabled service to lower operating costs.
On planning, Filchak said the Connecticut Department of Transportation increased funding and he is finalizing a draft Unified Planning Work Program for FY2024-25. He urged towns to endorse TRIP projects for submission by the March 31, 2023 deadline; NECCOG may submit up to seven projects.
Filchak described a federal Safe Routes grant opportunity: $160,000 total with a required local match of $40,000 (20%). He said Safe Routes work would include data collection, pedestrian safety improvements, accessibility and lighting; Filchak added that Congressman Joe Courtney advocated for bonding support to help with applications.
The council did not debate nor reject these planning items at the meeting; subsequent agenda items moved to STIP amendments and policy affirmations.
