2024 And 2025 Consolidated Section 5311 Application Program
Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program
American Rescue Plan Act
Federal Transit Administration Tribal Transit Program
Seneca Nation of Indians
Seneca Transit System
Public notice is hereby made that the Seneca Nation of Indians is applying for federal financial assistance to provide public transportation service, known as the Seneca Transit System, as follows: The Seneca Transit System intends to contract with a third-party contract operator to operate fixed route, route deviation service on and between the Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories of the Seneca Nation of Indians and on the Allegany Territory. Seneca Transit System service operates in the environs of Cattaraugus County and the City of Salamanca in New York State. The duration of service covered by this application includes October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, and between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.
The transportation service will be available to the general public during all hours of operation. Seneca Transit System service is provided in accordance with the Seneca Nation of Indians ADA Paratransit Policy. Paratransit service is comparable transportation service required by the ADA for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route transportation systems and is available within ¾ mile of the fixed route.
The project is expected to be financed with federal operating assistance funding available from the American Rescue Plan, the Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 Rural Program public transportation funds, the Federal Transit Administration Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program, and the Federal Transit Administration Tribal Transit Program. The New York State Department of Transportation will provide funds to the project under the Statewide Transit Operating Assistance (STOA) Program.
The total amount of American Rescue Plan funding that is available to the Seneca Transit System in fiscal year 2024 is $146,815.
The total amount of federal section 5311 operating assistance funds which is available to the Seneca Transit System is $118,320 in fiscal year 2024 and $118,320 in fiscal year 2025.
The total amount of federal Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program funding that is available to the Seneca Transit System is $7,695 for fiscal year 2024 and $7,695 for fiscal year 2025.
The total amount of Federal Transit Administration Tribal Transit Program funding that is available to the Seneca Transit System for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 is $1,269,535.
Public notice is further made that the Seneca Nation of Indians is applying for federal financial assistance to purchase two new buses to replace vehicles that will be eligible for replacement. Each replacement bus will be equipped with up to 18 passenger seats and two (2) wheelchair tie-down locations. The total cost of two new and replacement buses is estimated at $156,000 for each bus. The total cost estimate for the replacement of two buses is $312,000. The Seneca Nation is requesting capital assistance funding to purchase two spare bus engines. The two spare engines are estimated to cost $32,000. The total estimated cost for the purchase of two (2) replacement buses and two spare engines is $344,000. The federal share for this capital assistance project is $275,200. The New York State Department of Transportation will provide funds to the capital assistance project.
Comments on the proposed project are invited from the general public, private bus and taxi companies, other public transportation providers and human service agencies. Interested parties may comment on the project or obtain more details about the project by writing to:
Tammy Jimerson
Transit Administrator
Seneca Transit System
Department of Transportation
Seneca Nation of Indians
90 Ohi:yo Way
Salamanca, NY 14779
Phone: 716-945-1790
Email: tammy.jimerson@sni.org
Human service agencies that receive assistance from other Federal agencies for non-emergency transportation services are encouraged to participate and coordinate with the provider in the planning, design and delivery of transportation services. Agencies may obtain copies of the service description and submit proposals for service coordination. Private bus and taxi operators may request copies of the project service description from the above-named person and may submit comments on the service as described.
If you wish to comment on any aspect of the proposed project, submit a proposal or a request for service coordination or request a public hearing on this project, you must make your interest known in writing within fifteen calendar days of the date of this publication and provide your comments within fifteen calendar days of your receipt of the project service description. Your requests and/or comments must be forwarded to the above person.
