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Access for All
The purpose of the Access for All (AFA) Program is to expand and improve on-demand wheelchair-accessible vehicle service throughout California.
Notice of Funding Availability
Posted December 5, 2022
Closed February 6, 2023
Metro announces the availability of $7.9 million of State Access for All funds through its Access for All grant program, and the release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Solicitation for Proposals and Application Package. Applications are due via email to [email protected] by 5:00pm on the closing date.
Metro is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for projects that increase the availability of on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) service in Los Angeles County. The Solicitation for Proposals provides detailed instructions for submittals, the reporting requirements, and the evaluation and award process.
The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) letter and the FY 2023 Solicitation for Proposals and Application Package can be accessed via the link below “Resources for Potential Applicants”.
Program Background
Access for All is a new state funding program administered by Metro for Los Angeles County. The Access for All (AFA) Program was established in 2018 by Senate Bill 1376, which directed the California Public utilities Commission (CPUC) to establish a program relating to the accessibility of transportation network companies’ (TNCs, e.g., Uber & Lyft) services for persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users who need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV).
To fund the program, the CPUC instituted a $0.10 Access Fee collected on each TNC ride. There are two different ways to meet the statute’s overall goal of expanding and improving on-demand WAV transportation strive in California. The first way is for TNCs to invest Access Fee revenue to expand or improve on-demand WAV service in a particular county, and in return they can file offset requests allowing the TNC to keep some of the Access Fee revenue they collect, equal to the amount they invest in a particular county.
In the second way to meet the goal, the CPUC sets aside the remaining moneys (not claimed by the TNCs in the offset process) in a fund called the Access Fund. These fund are then distributed to Access Providers through Local Access Funds Administrators (LAFAs). The CPUC will allocate funds annually proportional to the percent of fees originating in that county. Following an application process to the CPUC, Metro was formally designated the LAFA for Los Angeles County via Board Resolution in July 2021.
Local Allocation
New funding becomes available annually from the CPUC based on the number of TNC passenger trips in Los Angeles for the previous year. In 2021 and 2022, Metro received its first two allocations of Access Funds. Metro’s approach to administering the AFA Program in Los Angeles County aims to meet the need for on-demand WAV transportation while implementing and building on existing related programs, services and partnerships. Metro has completed developing the countywide program to award the funds to competitively selected Access Providers.
During the developmental phase, there were multiple considerations including:
- Identifying eligible Access Providers
- Defining eligible projects in accordance with the statute
- Establishing funding limits
- Equity
To develop the program and prepare for the first solicitation, Metro performed outreach and collaborated with a working group comprised of internal and external stakeholders. With Metro Board approval of a solicitation and application in December 2022, Metro will solicit proposals from Access Providers in the spring of 2023 and award funds in the summer of 2023.
Resources for Potential Applicants
Contact Us
If you have general questions or would like to be added to our potential applicants list, please contact us.
E-mail: [email protected]
