The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced awards of approximately $8.4 million to 17 projects in 16 states to improve public transportation for underserved groups, with a focus on health and wellness. 

FTA's Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program increases access for Americans, particularly to health care appointments, by building partnerships among health, transportation, and other service providers.

"Transportation is a lifeline for Americans, connecting them to doctors, dentists, hospitals and other health care providers all over the country," said  Pete Buttigieg, U.S. transportation secretary. "Because of the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today's grants will help improve the health and lives of people in underserved communities who need and deserve access to health care and other essential services."

By improving the coordination of transportation to services for people who have been underserved in the past, ICAM supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to improving public health, including mental health. As part of the total to be awarded through the ICAM program, $4.6 million came through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"This program supports statewide and regional strategies to help ensure people who are especially challenged in accessing health care can reach the services they need," said Nuria Fernandez, FTA administrator. "We are so pleased to provide resources that help reach into the forgotten corners of our communities to ensure no one is left behind."

Some of the selected projects include: 

• The Ohio Department of Transportation will receive $2.8 million to partner with Ohio Departments of Aging, Developmental Disabilities, Job and Family Services, and Medicaid to launch a regional transportation resource center in a four-county area in the state’s southeast corner. The one-stop hub for trip scheduling and mobility management will coordinate trips from the area’s approximately 40 public and human service transportation providers, ensuring safe and reliable transportation. 

• The Southwest Colorado Council of Governments will receive $350,000 to develop an online portal that consolidates travel information from providers across the region into a centralized digital platform to help provide mobility and access for seniors, people with disabilities, people on limited incomes, and other transit-dependent populations. 

• The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will receive $100,000 to expand and enhance Virginia Transportation Navigator, a one-call, one-click directory of public and human service transportation, as well as mobility management and travel training services.

A list of all selected projects is available here.