This CA program offers millions in funding for shared mobility projects in underserved communities

February 28, 2023 /

The Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (CMO) is offering $33 million in voucher funding that will be available to eligible applicants and communities to launch and support new and existing shared mobility projects across the state.

The Mobility Project Vouchers (MPVs), worth up to $1.5 million each, help underserved communities to develop and launch zero-emission mobility projects, such as bike sharing and ride-on-demand services. These services fill a community’s transportation gaps and provide access to key destinations.

Clean Mobility Options is funded both by California Climate Investments — a statewide initiative that uses billions of cap-and-trade dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy and improve public health and the environment, particularly in underserved communities — and by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, which is investing more than $1 billion to deploy zero-emission transportation infrastructure and support in-state manufacturing and workforce training and development.

Eligible applicants include public agencies such as a city or county, public school district, or transit agency, nonprofit organizations that qualify for tax-exempt status, or a California Native American tribal government.

The eligible project locations are Senate Bill (SB) 535-designated disadvantaged communities that are specifically targeted for an investment of proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade program aimed at improving public health, quality of life, and economic opportunity in the state’s most burdened communities. Assembly Bill (AB) 1550-designated low-income communities and communities within federally or non-federally recognized tribal land or tribal property in California within AB 1550-designated low-income communities or SB 535-designated Disadvantaged Communities are also eligible. 

Funding availability also includes $12.5 million for applicants that are new to the program, $3 million for new eligible tribal government applicants, $7.5 million for current Community Transportation Needs Assessment awardees, and $10 million for current mobility project awardees.

The two-phase application process begins with the phase 1 application window opening at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 1, 2023. The Mobility Project Voucher application is separated into two parts to assess eligibility and project design development. Emailed applications will not be accepted. 
Those interested can apply at the CMO website. Technical assistance is available to help guide applicants through the process via Zoom, by calling (626) 744-5670, or by emailing info@cleanmobilityoptions.org.

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Victoria Rodgers

Victoria Rodgers is an editor and reporter for Kern Sol News. Born in Bakersfield, CA, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rockford University in Illinois. She can be reached at victoria@southkernsol.org.