In accordance with the formal public participation program tied to the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) in coordination with Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is holding a (30) day public review for the Proposed Amendments to the FFY 2015-2018 TIP, and the Draft Pioneer Valley Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan   The documents will be available for comment starting on February 9, 2015 and ending on March 11, 2015.

The Pioneer Valley TIP is a four-year schedule of priority highway, bridge, transit, and multimodal projects identified by year and location complete with funding source and cost.

The Human Services plan identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes, provide strategies for meeting these needs, and prioritize transportation services for funding and implementation.   The Plan is prepared by the MPO to allow organizations in the region to be eligible to receive funding in the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 transit funding program. This program provides capital and operations funding for services for the elderly and persons with disabilities

This process will also be used as the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s (PVTA) public participation process. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, the FTA Section 5307(c) applicant, has consulted with the Pioneer Valley  Metropolitan Planning Organization and concurs that the public involvement process adopted by the Pioneer Valley MPO for development of the TIP satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for the regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications including the provisions for public notice and the time established for public review and comment.

Copies of the documents are available at the Springfield office of PVPC, on-line at www.pvpc.org , and at the following Libraries: Agawam Public Library, Chicopee Main Library, Emily Williston Memorial Library (Easthampton), Forbes Library (Northampton), Holyoke Public Library, Hubbard Memorial Library (Ludlow), Jones Library (Amherst), Library Department (Ware), Monson Free Library, Plainfield Library, Porter Memorial Library (Blandford), South Hadley Public Library, Springfield City Library (220 State Street), West Springfield Public Library, and Westfield Athenaeum Library.  The PVPC is accepting written comments during the public review period.  Direct all TIP comments to Andrew McCaul at amccaul@pvpc.org and all Draft Valley Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan comments to Jeffrey McCollough at jmccollough@pvpc.org or by mail at PVPC 60 Congress Street Springfield, MA 01104-3419.