One-stop paratransit pilot program

(a) In general Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a one-stop paratransit pilot program. (b) Purpose The purpose of the pilot program under this section is to develop or expand paratransit programs carried out pursuant to the ADA to provide for at least 1 stop of at least 15 minutes outside of the vehicle during a paratransit trip to prevent long wait times between multiple trips that unduly limit an individual’s ability to complete essential tasks. (c) Eligible entities (1) In general An entity eligible to participate in the pilot program is a transit agency that agrees to use the existing operator of the paratransit service and its workforce, such workforce to be directly employed by the eligible entity or its contractor, to implement the pilot program and to track and share information as the Secretary requires, including— (A) number of ADA paratransit trips conducted each year; (B) requested time of each paratransit trip; (C) scheduled time of each paratransit trip; (D) actual pickup time for each paratransit trip; (E) average length of a stop in the middle of a ride as allowed by this section; (F) any complaints received from a paratransit rider; (G) rider satisfaction with paratransit services; and (H) after the completion of the pilot program, an assessment by the eligible entity of its capacity to continue a one-stop program independently. (2) Preference The Secretary shall give preference to entities that— (A) have comparable data for the year prior to implementation of the pilot program that can be used by the Secretary and other organizations, such as nonprofit organizations and advocacy organizations, for research purposes; (B) plan to use the existing operator of the paratransit service and its workforce, such workforce to be directly employed by the eligible entity or its contractor, to implement the pilot program; and (C) plan to use technology innovation to improve the rider experience and cost-effectiveness of ADA paratransit services, including— (i) dynamic routing; (ii) real-time tracking; and (iii) scheduling same-day rides with on-demand capabilities. (d) Application To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including information on— (1) methodology for informing the public of the pilot program; (2) vehicles, personnel, and other resources that will be used to implement the pilot program; and (3) if the applicant does not intend the pilot program to apply to the full area under the jurisdiction of the applicant, a required description of the geographic area in which the applicant intends the pilot program to apply. (e) Selection The Secretary shall seek to achieve diversity of participants in the pilot program by selecting a range of eligible entities that includes at least 5 of each of the following: (1) An eligible entity that serves an area with a population of 200,000 people or fewer. (2) An eligible entity that serves an area with a population of over 200,000 people. (3) An eligible entity that provides transportation for rural communities. (f) Report Not later than 6 months after the conclusion of the first 15 pilot projects carried out under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the program, including the feasibility of developing and implementing one-stop programs for all ADA paratransit services. (g) Funding (1) Federal share The Federal share of the total cost of a project carried out under this section may not exceed 80 percent. (2) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.