Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Million in Grants to Help Communities Prosper with Improved Access to Transit
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Million in Grants to ... Department of Transportation
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Million in Grants to Help Communities Prosper with Improved Access to Transit
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that it will award $20 million to 47 communities to help improve public transportation options in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in America’s infrastructure to create jobs and opportunities. The FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) program provides support to state and local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations to create better transit for residents with limited or no transportation options.
Background
People living in low-income rural, urban, and Tribal communities across the country are more likely to rely on public transit due to limited car ownership. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasizes the importance of bringing affordable and accessible public transit to these communities, enabling more people to access jobs, resources, and opportunities. The Areas of Persistent Poverty program aims to address this need by investing in projects that benefit communities with environmental justice concerns.
Key Initiatives
The grants provided through the Areas of Persistent Poverty program can be used for various purposes, including initiating transit service, improving existing service, modernizing fleets, procuring low- and no-emission buses, launching scheduling apps, and enhancing bus stops. These initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of accessible and sustainable transportation systems.
Selected Projects
- The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority in Connecticut will receive $450,000 to conduct a planning analysis targeting underserved communities. This includes developing policies and planning processes that prioritize equity in transit investment, transitioning the bus fleet to zero-emission propulsion systems, and educating residents and business owners about transit and mobility options.
- The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $778,500 to assess the reopening of the historic Englewood (Green) Line Racine station with modern accessibility standards. This investment aims to revitalize the neighborhood and maximize the positive impact of increased transit access on the community.
- The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation in Mississippi will receive $612,684 to develop a framework for expanding transportation options through a community-based transportation model. This model will allow residents to search, book, and ride on available transit assets, improving public transportation efficiency and meeting the needs of individuals lacking access to essential services.
- The Cherokee Nation in Northeastern Oklahoma will receive $576,188 to update its long-range transit plan, including an assessment of electric vehicle infrastructure and user access improvements. This initiative aims to guide future tribal transit projects and enhance transportation services for the tribe’s citizens.
Funding Opportunity
The FTA received funding requests totaling close to $36 million. The selected projects were chosen based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
By investing in improved access to transit, the Biden-Harris Administration is working towards achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. These grants will contribute to creating sustainable and inclusive communities by providing affordable and reliable transportation options to those who need them the most.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors.
- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and location.
- Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access).
- Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.
- Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. | Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status, and location. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. | Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and service capacity and access). |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labor-intensive sectors. | Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together. Source: transportation.gov
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