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Transportation Glossary
Term Description

New Freedom Program

A financial assistance program (Section 5317 of the Federal Transit Act) which provides capital and operating grants for new transit services that exceed those currently required by the ADA. Examples of new and beyond services could include door-through-door service, expansion beyond the ¾ mile service area, same day service (if not currently offered), etc. Sixty percent of the funds are apportioned directly to large urbanized areas (over 200,000 population), based on a ratio of the number of individuals with disabilities in the urbanized area to the number of individuals with disabilities in all urbanized areas. Twenty percent of the funds are apportioned to states based on a ratio of the number of individuals with disabilities in urbanized areas under 200,000 in population and to the number of individuals with disabilities in all states. The remaining 20% of the funds are allocated to each state based on the number of individuals with disabilities in the non-urbanized areas and the number of individuals in the non-urbanized areas of all states. Urban areas over 200,000, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and states are eligible direct recipients of New Freedom funds. States may transfer funds between the under 200,000 and the non-urbanized areas depending on need, but they cannot transfer funds between the urban and rural. Ten percent of the funding is available for administration, with no match required for the administrative portion. Capital funding is provided on an 80/20 federal/local match basis. Operating assistance may not exceed 50% of the net operating cost of the project. A competitive selection process must be used to disperse the funds. A locally-developed human service transportation coordination plan is required.

NDSU Dept 2880P.O. Box 6050Fargo, ND 58108-6050
(701)231-7767ndsu.ugpti@ndsu.edu