Section 5310 Program and the Role of the Coordinated Plan

What is Section 5310?

The Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), helps improve transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, unavailable, or inappropriate. Eligible projects may include capital investments such as accessible vehicles and mobility management programs, or operating projects such as ride services, travel training, and volunteer driver programs. At least 55% of funds must be used for traditional capital projects.

Who is Eligible?

Organizations eligible to apply for Section 5310 funding include:

- Private nonprofit organizations

- Local government authorities

- Public transportation operators

- State or local government agencies approved to coordinate services for seniors and individuals with disabilities

Applicants should refer to the FTA Circular 9070.1H and the CATS Program Management Plan (PMP) for full eligibility requirements and definitions. Access those documents by selecting the specified buttons below. *The program management plan will be available soon.

FTA Circular 9070.1H(PDF, 765KB)

How CATS Administers the Program

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is the FTA-designated recipient for Section 5310 funds in the Charlotte Urban Area. CATS oversees the full administration of the program, including:

- Leading the development and maintenance of the Coordinated Plan

- Releasing an annual Call for Projects through the City of Charlotte’s Bonfire platform

- Reviewing and scoring applications using a transparent scoring matrix

- Submitting the Program of Projects (POP) to the FTA through TrAMS

- Executing grant agreements and monitoring subrecipient performance

For questions about how CATS administers the Section 5310 program, please consult the PMP, which can be found at the specified button above.

What is the Coordinated Plan?

All Section 5310-funded projects must align with the Charlotte Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan (CPT-HSTP). The most recent plan was adopted in 2025 and reflects transportation needs and priorities across a nine-county region, based on public input and regional collaboration.

To download the 2025 Coordinated Plan select the button below.

2025 Coordinated Plan(PDF, 18MB)

Coordinated Plan Data App

The Coordinated Plan Data App provides interactive access to the data used in the 2025 Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan. Users can explore key demographics, service areas, transportation gaps, and regional mobility needs that guided the plan's development.

The app is intended for:

- Applicants preparing Section 5310 proposals

- Regional planning partners and human service agencies

- Members of the public seeking insights into transportation equity and access

Data can be downloaded directly from the application or used interactively for informational purposes.

*More information to come.

To look at a map displaying the Locally Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan Data, click the button below.

View the map

How Projects Are Selected

Applications are evaluated using a scoring matrix with a maximum of 100 points across five categories:

1. Project Needs and Benefits

2. Implementation and Coordination

3. Budget and Cost Effectiveness

4. Organizational Capacity and Technical Experience

5. Performance Measures and Evaluation

Projects must score at least 70 points to be eligible.

Recent Awards

This document lists previously funded projects and award details. To download the 2023 Program of Projects (POP) select the button below.

2023 Program of Projects(DOCX, 25KB)

Upcoming Call for Projects

The next Call for Projects will open in August 2025. Applications will be submitted through the Bonfire eProcurement Portal.

Section 5310 Program Timeline (per PMP):