CT SB00208

Establishes a state matching grant program administered by the Commissioner of Transportation for municipalities to provide demand-responsive transportation services for persons age 60 or older and persons with disabilities, effective July 1, 2023.

Requires municipalities to provide a 50 percent match to state grant funds, with a reduced 25 percent match available for municipalities that provide transportation services for persons with disabilities multiple times per week in neighboring municipalities.

Allocates grants to municipalities using a formula where 50 percent of funds are based on the share of population age 60 or older and 50 percent based on the municipality's square mileage relative to the state.

Requires grant-receiving municipalities to annually report to the Commissioner of Transportation on ridership numbers, trip data, vehicle usage hours, funding sources, trip denials, and for the reduced-match municipalities, information on services provided in neighboring communities.

Mandates the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a study by October 1, 2023 in consultation with relevant state commissioners examining transportation service gaps, regional differences in access, employment opportunities, and funding needs for persons with disabilities, with findings reported to joint standing committees.