This program is expired. Job Access and Reverse Commute activities are eligible for funding under FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants (Section 5307) and the Formula Grants for Rural Areas (Section 5311) programs.
Program Overview
The Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program was established to address the unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to obtain and maintain employment. Many new entry-level jobs are located in suburban areas, and low-income individuals have difficulty accessing these jobs from their inner city, urban, or rural neighborhoods. In addition, many entry level-jobs require working late at night or on weekends when conventional transit services are either reduced or non-existent. Finally, many employment related-trips are complex and involve multiple destinations including reaching childcare facilities or other services.
Eligible Recipients
States and public bodies are eligible designated recipients. Eligible subrecipients are private non-profit organizations, State or local governments, and operators of public transportation services including private operators of public transportation services.
Eligible Activities
Capital, planning and operating expenses for projects that transport low income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to employment, and for reverse commute projects.
Statutory References
49 U.S.C. 5316
Funding Availability
Section 5316 funds are available to the States and designated recipients in large urbanied areas during the Fiscal Year of apportionment plus two additional years (total of three years).
Allocation of Funding
Of the total JARC funds available, FTA apportions 60 percent among designated recipients in large urbanized areas; 20 percent to the states for small urbanized areas; and 20 percent to the states for rural and small urban areas under 50,000 in population. Section 5316 funds are apportioned among the recipients by a formula which is based on the ratio that the number of eligible low-income and welfare recipients in each such area bears to the number of eligible low-income and welfare recipients in all such areas.
Match
JARC funds may be used to finance capital, planning and operating expenses. The Federal share of eligible capital and planning costs may not exceed 80 percent of the net cost of the activity. The Federal share of the eligible operating costs may not exceed 50 percent of the net operating costs of the activity. Recipients may use up to 10 percent of their apportionment to support program administrative costs including administration, planning, and technical assistance, which may be funded at 100 percent Federal share. The local share of eligible capital and planning costs shall be no less than 20 percent of the net cost of the activity, and the local share for eligible operating costs shall be no less than 50 percent of the net operating costs.
Other Program Highlights
Title 49 U.S.C. 5316, as amended by SAFETEA-LU, requires a recipient of Section 5316 funds to certify that projects selected are derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.