This bill amends the existing Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program to broaden its scope, allowing grants to be awarded to local government units and transit agencies for public transportation projects throughout New Jersey, rather than being limited to Mercer County. The bill introduces new definitions, including "innovative technology," which encompasses advanced transit technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and accessibility of transportation systems. Additionally, it establishes new eligibility criteria for grant applications, requiring projects to facilitate access for low-income individuals without smartphone technology or credit cards, and to include features that accommodate persons with disabilities, such as wheelchair-accessible vehicles and accessible mobile applications.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific factors that the Commissioner of Transportation must consider when approving grant applications, including the potential for projects to enhance transit performance, remove mobility barriers, and improve conditions in disadvantaged communities. It also emphasizes the importance of deploying advanced transit technologies and ensuring environmental sustainability. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation, supplementing the initial $2 million allocated when the program was first established.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 27:1D-10, 27:1D-11