Rural Transportation Voucher Pilot Program

luke.santore@mso.umt.edu

andrew.myers@mso.umt.edu

The University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities is offering funding for Centers for Independent Living (CIL) to pilot a rural transportation voucher program. Transportation vouchers work as coupons, tickets, or IOUs that are exchanged for a ride, whether by bus, taxi, or a friend.

The intent of the pilot program is to:

1. Provide seed funding and logistical support to help in the implementation of a transportation voucher program
2. Pilot test the updated Rural Transportation Voucher Toolkit
3. Continue updating the toolkit with input from pilot sites

Required activities of participating sites:

• Commit 15–20 hours per week in staff time over 2 years beginning around January 2026
• Build a local Transportation Interest Network (TIN) to support program goals
• Develop a strategic plan for implementing the voucher program
• Enroll a minimum of 20 consumers
• Apply for additional funding to support program sustainability
• Provide structured feedback to help improve the toolkit update

Original (2017) toolkit

Eligible applicants are Centers for Independent Living.

Preference will be given to CILs that:

• Serve rural consumers
• Are not currently running a voucher program
• Have the staff capacity to meaningfully participate in the pilot
• Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain successful partnerships

Pilot sites will receive:

• $5,000 for administrative support
• $9,750 for consumer voucher budgets
• Technical assistance from program staff and mentoring from other CIL staff with transportation expertise

Complete the online application.