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Top Headlines

For Immediate Release
September 24, 1999

Contact:

Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115

Web Site: http://www.rtprides.org

"Access to Jobs" Transportation Grant Awarded to GPCOG

Joint Participation of DHS, ASPIRE, MDOT, PROP, RideShare and RTP

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) has just received a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to help welfare recipients in Cumberland County get to work, Neal W. Allen, GPOG Executive Director, announced this week.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) will administer the grant on behalf of GPCOG. The program will begin helping area residents on Friday, Oct. 1, 1999.

The $235,000 grant award will focus on education through Regional Transportation Program's recently created "Rider's Choice" program where area residents call one number, 774- 2666, and are referred to the appropriate transportation provider, be it a PROP volunteer, a city bus, an RTP van or RideShare. To find out more about the program, call Rider's Choice at 774- 2666.

Kevin Concannon, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Human Services, called the grant "an innovative approach to meeting the transportation needs of people leaving the welfare rolls for jobs." Transportation and childcare are often cited as the two most essential support services required to make "welfare-to-work" a reality.

"We're there to provide rides to people so they can get to work," said Jon McNulty, Executive Director of RTP and recent past president of the Maine Transit Association. "So it's vitally important these people gain assistance. After all, if you don't have transportation, how can you get to work?"

"This is the first time Federal Transit Administration funds have been used in conjunction with Department of Human Services welfare to work funds. It is a truly coordinated transit effort," said David Willauer, transportation planning director with GPCOG, "that will be of great benefit to welfare consumers who are entering the job market."

On Thursday, September 23, officials from all key agencies gathered at the ASPIRE offices at 509 Forest Avenue in Portland to formally announce the grant and make a presentation to caseworkers on how best to offer the services.

Established in 1976, RTP is a United Way agency located at 127 St. John Street in Portland. The agency traditionally provides rides to medical appointments and other necessary services to the elderly, the disabled and clients of social service agencies in Cumberland County.

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