In August 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), reauthorizing Federal funds for transportation improvements and other related programs.

SAFETEA-LU requires that projects receiving funds from either Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310, FTA Section 5316, or FTA Section 5317 be derived from a coordinate public transit-human service transportation plan. Additionally, SAFETEA-LU requires projects be part of a “locally-developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan” that:

• Identifies the transportation needs of specific populations under Elderly and Disabled Transportation Program (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC), and the New Freedom Initiative;
• Provides strategies for meeting those local needs; and
• Prioritizes transportation services for funding and implementation strategies.

In April 2008, UCTC staff initiated efforts to develop the Ulster County Public Transit – Human Services Coordination Plan. As part of this effort, a Stakeholder Advisory Committee was established to help guide the Plan’s development. The plan specifically identifies and prioritizes projects eligible for Federal funding to address transportation needs of 1) persons of low income, 2) persons with disabilities and 3) seniors.