Photo: freeside, flickr
Introduction
The Lifeline Transportation Program funds projects that:
- Focus on Equity Priority Communities
- Improve mobility and accessibility in low-income communities
- Address gaps or barriers identified through community-based transportation plans or other substantive, collaborative, and inclusive planning efforts involving focused outreach to low-income populations.
San Francisco’s Lifeline Transportation Program is supported by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with State Transit Assistance funds. The Transportation Authority administers Lifeline Transportation Program funds for San Francisco.
Resources
San Francisco’s Equity Priority Communities Map
San Francisco’s State Transit Assistance County Block Grant Framework
Board Approval of SF LTP Cycle 1 Projects (April 23, 2019)
In December 2018, the Transportation Authority Board approved San Francisco’s State Transit Assistance County Block Grant Framework (PDF) for Fiscal Years 2018/19 and 2019/20, creating the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program. The approved framework distributed 40 percent of funds to the SFMTA’s paratransit program. The remaining 60 percent funded the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program modeled after the former regional Lifeline Transportation Program established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with which the Transportation Authority administered five funding cycles. The San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program supports projects that improve mobility for low-income residents by addressing transportation gaps or barriers identified through equity assessments and collaborative and inclusive community-based planning processes.
MyStreetSF Project Map
View all projects funded by the Lifeline Transportation Program on the MyStreetSF project map.
Funding Cycles
Cycle 1
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | Lifeline Funds | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency | Continuing Late Night Transit Service to Communities in Need | $1,609,700 | $3,763,158 |
| San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency | San Francisco Community Health Mobility Navigation Project: Removing Health Care Transportation Barriers for Low Access Neighborhoods | $396,300 | $498,600 |
| Bay Area Rapid Transit District | Elevator Attendant Initiative | $2,600,000 | $3,048,000 |
| TOTAL | $4,606,000 | $7,309,758 |
Cycle 2
| Project Sponsor | Project Name | Lifeline Funds | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Rapid Transit District | Elevator Attendant Program | $1,035,626 | $3,000,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,035,626 | $3,000,000 |
Projects Supported by the Lifeline Transportation Program
The Route 8X-Bayshore Express Customer First, funded with $5,285,000 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds, reduced delay and improved accessibility along the bus route.
The Balboa Park Station Eastside Connections project that improved access and safety between Muni light rail and the BART entrance at the Balboa Park Station was supported by $2,989,327 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds.
The Late Night Transit Service to Communities in Need project, funded by $8,955,830 in Lifeline Transportation Program grants, increased the Treasure Island owl frequency and closed gaps and continued owl service on key segments of the 48 Quintara/24th Street and 44 O’Shaughnessy.
Photo: freeside, flickr
The Shop‐a‐Round and Van Gogh Recreational Shuttle Service, funded by $1,592,462 in Lifeline Transportation Program funds, provides transportation to and from grocery stores and recreational events throughout San Francisco for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Incentive Program, funded with $75,000 in LTP funds, provides financial incentives to increase the supply of accessible wheelchair ramp taxis available through the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency paratransit program. The ramp taxis will be in general circulation, increasing mobility options citywide for wheelchair users.
Photo: SFMTA Photography Department
Reporting Procedures
Per the San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program (LTP) guidelines, quarterly progress reports must be submitted by January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. Quarterly progress reports should be entered via each LTP project’s page at the Transportation Authority's Portal.
Close-Out Process
Project sponsors must submit a close-out request in the Portal. This step is required whether or not all funds have been expended or if funds are to be deobligated for the project. See the Portal Guide for Sponsors (PDF) for additional details.
Contact
Key Documents
Board Approval of SF LTP Cycle 2 (June 28, 2022)
SF LTP Cycle 2 Memo and Presentation (June 7, 2022)
San Francisco’s Equity Priority Communities Map
Metropolitan Transportation Commission Lifeline Transportation Webpage
Transportation Authority Board Approved STA Block Grant Framework (PDF)
Board Approval of SF LTP Cycle 1 (April 23, 2019)
State Transit Assistance Public Utilities Code (begin with Section 99312)
San Francisco's Community-Based Transportation Plans
Request a Document
Looking for something else? Request a document.
Call for Projects is closed: Applications were due February 15, 2019
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is pleased to announce a call for projects for an estimated $4.599 million in San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program (SF LTP) Cycle 1 funds for Fiscal Years 2018/19 and 2019/20. SF LTP Cycle 1 requires a minimum local match of 10% of the total project cost. There is no minimum grant amount and no maximum grant amount beyond the fund availability. Applications were due by February 15, 2019 and were approved by the Board on April 23, 2019.
The Transportation Authority Board established the SF LTP to fund projects that:
- Improve a range of transportation choices for low-income populations
- Address gaps or barriers identified through community-based transportation plans or other substantive, collaborative, and inclusive planning efforts involving focused outreach to low-income populations.
Eligible Sponsors
Only public transit operators are eligible to apply for SF LTP funds.
Eligible Projects
The SF LTP is intended to fund operating and capital projects that address transportation needs of low-income populations, many of whom are transit-dependent. Eligible projects include: new, enhanced, or restored transit service, including late-night and weekend services; transit stop enhancements; purchase of vehicles or technologies; transit-related aspects of bicycling; shuttle service; and various elements of mobility management.
Projects must be eligible per State Transit Assistance guidelines as established by the state. See the State Transit Assistance Public Utilities Code for more information on eligibility.
Prioritization Criteria
For SF LTP Cycle 1, the highest priority will be given to Communities of Concern supportive transit services that directly increase mobility for low-income persons since STA is one of the few sources that the Transportation Authority can use to fund transit service. In addition, transit service projects provide an opportunity for a broad geographic distribution of benefits to Communities of Concern.
Eligible projects will be prioritized based on the following criteria:
- Transit services directly benefiting Communities of Concern
- Community-identified priority
- Project need
- Implementation plan and project management capacity
- Project budget and sustainability
- Cost effectiveness
- Project sponsor’s priority of application
- Higher local match
- Geographic diversity
Application Process
In order to be eligible to compete for this call, sponsors must submit via email an electronic copy of a complete set of application materials by 5:00 p.m. on February 15, 2019, with the subject line of “SF LTP Cycle 1 Application – [insert sponsor and project name]” to lifeline@sfcta.org.
A complete SF LTP Cycle 1 application consists of:
- Application
- Word file: Project Summary and Narrative
- Excel file:
- Operating Projects - Schedule, Cost, and Funding Plan (Worksheet 1)
- Capital Projects - Schedule, Cost, and Funding Plan (Worksheet 2) and Major Line Item Budget (Worksheet 3)
- Map of project area/route map with transit stops indicated
- All applicable attachments, such as letters of support, charts, drawings, and route schedule/timetable
Schedule
January 14, 2019: Transportation Authority issued a call for projects
February 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m.: Applications due to the Transportation Authority
March 27, 2019: Transportation Authority's Citizens Advisory Committee considers LTP project priorities
April 9, 2019: Transportation Authority Board considers LTP project priorities for preliminary action
April 23, 2019: Transportation Authority Board considers LTP project priorities for final action
May/June 2018: MTC Commission approval of program of projects
A more detailed schedule is listed in the call for projects memo.
Resources
Final guidelines and application materials are available below.
- SF LTP Cycle 1 Call for Projects Materials (with all attachments) (PDF)
- Attachment 1 - San Francisco Projects Funded Through Regional Lifeline Transportation Program
- Attachment 2 - 2017 San Francisco Communities of Concern
- Attachment 3 - San Francisco’s Community-Based Transportation Plans
- Attachment 4 - SF LTP Cycle 1 Application (PDF)
- Board Approval of SF LTP Cycle 1 Projects (April 23, 2019)
Contact
Aprile Smith, Senior Transportation Planner