Penquis, KVCAP awarded funding from the Federal Transit Administration

Grant will fund software and technology upgrades to support transportation services

Penquis and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program are receiving $650,462 from the Maine Department of Transportation to improve transportation services across four counties. The funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration to expand transit options for residents with limited or no transportation options.

Many Maine residents depend on public transportation providers for low-cost, reliable transportation services to access medical care, employment, and other needs. Current public transportation services are limited, however, and the lack of transportation can create barriers to improving economic opportunity, physical and mental health, and quality of life.

This discretionary federal funding comes from the Areas of Persistent Poverty Program – one of the several new discretionary grant programs included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The focus of this specific grant program is to leverage American ingenuity to build modern infrastructure that will benefit underserved communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Grant funds will support software and technology upgrades at Penquis and KVCAP. The two organizations are rural public transit agencies, providing transportation services for individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Kennebec counties. Last year, Penquis and KVCAP served 7,850 people and provided 454,766 rides totaling 8.6 million miles.

“Maine’s vast rural geography, our aging population, the high cost of owning a vehicle, and harsh winter weather all create a high demand for community transportation options,” says Steven Richard, Penquis Transportation Services director. “The grant will be used to develop and acquire software that will help expand our region’s capacity to meet transportation needs into the future.”

Penquis will work with HBSS Connect Corp. to enhance QRyde, a transportation management platform that uses a state-of-the-art Global Scheduling Engine. The software will increase operational efficiencies through the use of real-time data, enhanced scheduling and dispatching capabilities, and a fare card system to expand payment options for riders. The improvements will enable Penquis and KVCAP to expand capacity and increase the number of individuals accessing reliable, low-cost community transportation. Operational efficiencies will also reduce carbon emissions and minimize pollution, contributing to improved public health.

“Transportation is fundamental, and tough challenges exist in many parts of our mostly rural state,” said Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “The team and MaineDOT are proud to work with our local and federal partners to secure funding that will help provide practical solutions to improve public transportation services for our customers in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Kennebec counties.”

Penquis has nearly 40 years of experience providing transportation services. Richard says state-of-the-art technology such as HBSS QRyde GSE is essential to the future of transportation.

“We are creating a community transportation model that ensures resources are used to maximize public benefit,” says Richard. “The new software capabilities will support a highly efficient system that minimizes costs, increases access to transportation for more people, and improves customer service.”

For more information about transportation services available through Penquis and KVCAP, visit www.penquis.org and www.kvcap.org.