City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MICHAEL MOON, P.E., INTERIM DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support Proposed Vehicle Procurement Project Application for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities - Section 5310 Program for FY 2027 to FY 2028 [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
ISSUE: Whether the City should seek grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase and maintain at least four wheelchair-accessible vans and associated infrastructure for coordination with other city fleet vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Adopt the Resolution (Attachment 1) to approve an application to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities - Section 5310 Program funding for up to $1 million; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager to submit the proposal to the MWCOG and enter into any necessary agreements with MWCOG to accept the funds.
BACKGROUND: The FTA’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities program provides funding to states and designated recipients to meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meet these needs. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), with the MWCOG acting as administrative agent, is the designated recipient for the FTA's Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program for the Washington, DC-VA-MD Urbanized Area.
DISCUSSION: The City is seeking funding to support the procurement of at least four electric, wheelchair-accessible vehicles and necessary infrastructure for coordination with other City fleet vehicles that provide human services transportation in FY27 and maintenance support for vehicles in FY27 and FY28. These vehicles will be deployed to the ADA Paratransit program operated by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) and the infrastructure for other vehicles will be deployed to vehicles operated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA), and the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)-to support coordinated transportation efforts for residents with disabilities and seniors, ensuring equitable access to City services and programs. The associated infrastructure will be IT equipment such as 5G enabled tablets and mounting hardware to provide vehicle routing and scheduling software currently used by the ADA Paratransit Program. This proposal meets three priority project areas of the Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan for the National Capital Region listed below:
1. Coordinated Planning Efforts
This project is rooted in interdepartmental coordination and long-term planning to enhance human services transportation across the City. By purchasing a fleet of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and tablets for scheduling and routing coordination, Alexandria will implement a centralized approach to transportation services among RPCA, DCHS, and T&ES.
Each vehicle equipped with GPS tracking and onboard tablets will allow for centralized trip data collection and analytics with integration into the current paratransit data system. This system will enable the City to assess service overlaps, identify areas for efficiency, and ultimately develop a City-wide mobility management strategy. The cross-departmental use of these vehicles and shared operational protocols support a scalable model of coordinated planning that can be expanded or replicated regionally.
2. Door-Through-Door or Escorted Transportation Service
The proposed vehicles and IT infrastructure will directly support escorted and door-through-door transportation for vulnerable populations. These services include:
• T&ES Paratransit: At least four vehicles will serve Alexandria’s paratransit program and Adult Day Services Center shuttle. Operated under contract, these vehicles will allow for expanded capacity and more personalized assistance to individuals attending vital programs and services. With all vehicles currently using the existing routing and scheduling software, the paratransit program will be able to better coordinate with other City Human Services Transportation Options.
• RPCA Therapeutic Rec: Tablets will support staff in at least three vehicles transporting individuals with disabilities to and from schools and adaptive recreation programs.
• DCHS Aging Services: Tablets will enhance door-through-door transportation for aging residents in at least three vehicles serving medical, grocery, and City service trips.
3. Tailored Transportation Service for Clients of Human Service Agencies
This project directly addresses the needs of residents with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route public transportation. These vehicles and technology will be dedicated to serving agency-specific programs, coordinated across departments:
• T&ES Paratransit: Providing fully accessible vehicles for daily operations and trip demand to the Adult Day Services Center and the City's DCHS and Health Department building-the highest ridership destination in the paratransit system.
• RPCA Therapeutic Rec: Coordinating access to adaptive programs by ensuring that transportation is available to all participants, regardless of mobility needs.
• DCHS Aging Services: Coordinating transportation for seniors who require escorted rides to City services, medical appointments, and community engagement programs.
By leveraging a shared fleet model, the City will maximize the utility of each vehicle and promote interagency coordination. Data collection from trips from multiple departments will allow for further integration of services after a couple of years of data collection. Additionally, each vehicle purchased will be equipped with a front bicycle rack, ensuring all paratransit users have access to the same amenities as fixed route transit riders.
This grant will allow the City of Alexandria to build a modern, clean, and accessible vehicle fleet that bridges transportation gaps for seniors and people with disabilities. Through technology, coordination, and community focus, this project meets the goals of the grant programs while creating a model for cross-departmental mobility management and equitable access.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City is applying for up to $1,000,000 to support the purchase of vehicles and associated infrastructure. The grant requires a 20% local match, or $200,000. The match would be funded by the City. Funds spent on the Paratransit program should be eligible for a Department of Rail and Public Transportation Operational Assistance reimbursement, which has typically been $.30 for each dollar spent.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Letters of Support
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES
Katye North, Division Chief, Mobility Services, T&ES
Owen Albrecht, Paratransit Program Manager, T&ES