Since its inception, RCTC’s Measure A Specialized Transit Program has provided thousands of rides and transportation services – such as mileage reimbursement, bus tickets, and travel training – to residents across Riverside County. Whether it’s a trip to the doctor, an after-school program, or simply a trip to the grocery store, the program’s specialized transit providers offer a crucial service for residents who have difficulty using traditional public transit or live where there is no public transit service nearby.

During its February 11, 2026, meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a Measure A Specialized Transit funding award to Kindful Restoration – a nonprofit organization located in the City of Riverside.

“At the heart of the Measure A Specialized Transit Program is our commitment to providing essential transportation services to those who need it most. For many vulnerable populations, this program serves as their only lifeline to get around. We are thrilled to welcome Kindful Restoration to our growing network of service providers, and we are excited to enhance transportation options for western Riverside County,” said Lorelle Moe-Luna, RCTC Multimodal Services Director.

Kindful Restoration assists individuals and families across Riverside County impacted by behavioral health challenges, justice involvement, and socioeconomic hardship to help them achieve stability, independence, and restored dignity. Since 2021, the organization has provided programs and services such as transportation, housing navigation and stability, reentry and justice-involved programs such as peer support, workforce readiness, and mentoring for individuals exiting incarceration or probation.

With the addition of Kindful Restoration, 18 providers now serve western Riverside County as part of the Measure A Specialized Transit Program. Providers are an important part of the public transportation network, offering over 190,000 one-way trips annually.

To learn more about the program and what services are available in your area, please visit: rctc.org/specializedtransit

The Riverside County Transportation Commission has released the 2025 update of the Draft Coordinated Public Transit–Human Services Transportation Plan (Coordinated Plan) and is inviting public input. The plan outlines mobility needs and gaps experienced by seniors, persons with disabilities, persons of low income, and tribal members living and traveling within Riverside County.

This updated draft plan reflects extensive community input including 800 survey responses, interviews with human social services agencies, and more than 40 community members actively participated in prioritizing strategies in the Coordinated Plan.

RCTC invites the public to review and comment on the Draft Coordinated Plan through October 13, 2025. Following the comment period, the final plan is expected to be presented to the Commission in November 2025.

To access the Draft Coordinated Plan and provide your input, please visit: rctc.org/coordinated-plan

Do you have ideas on how we can improve public and specialized transportation options in Riverside County? If so, you are invited to take a survey as part of RCTC’s Public Transit-Human Services Coordinated Plan! The Plan will help identify transportation solutions for vulnerable groups like seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income residents, veterans, and tribal members living in Riverside County. Residents are urged to complete the survey.

The plan will help address questions such as:

• What mobility needs and gaps exist?
• What partnerships can help address our residents’ mobility needs?
• What strategies or other changes can improve mobility?
• What types of efforts or services will encourage more older adults, persons with disabilities, persons of low-income, and veterans to use Riverside County’s public transportation?

The Coordinated Plan also helps social service agencies and public transit operators secure federal and state funding to expand mobility services and vehicles to support those identified in the Plan.

To get started, please visit: rctc.org/coordinated-plan

At its June 12 meeting, the Commission awarded $9.9 million in Measure A funding for 20 projects to 15 non-profit and public agencies that provide specialized transit services across Riverside County for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027.

For Riverside County’s most vulnerable residents – seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals – accessing transportation options to medical appointments, social services, and everyday activities can be challenging. RCTC’s Specialized Transit Program makes a significant difference in filling in the gaps not met by other forms of transportation. Specialized Transit Programs support operating and capital projects such as senior transportation shuttles, non-emergency medical transportation services, bus pass/voucher programs, mileage reimbursement programs, travel training, vehicle and maintenance equipment, and communications and dispatch equipment.

At its meeting, Commissioners heard first-hand how valuable this funding is for organizations providing the services and those who use it. “We are thrilled and very grateful to have been recommended for RCTC funding through the Measure A program,” said Jessica Muñoz, President and CEO of Voices for Children – one of the 15 grant recipients. The non-profit recruits, trains, and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who speak up for the needs and well-being of children in foster care.

Muñoz added, “the funding is important to us for many reasons. One of the ways that our volunteer advocates support youth in care is by providing transportation for them when they need to attend court hearings, meetings in the community, school events, and sometimes even enrichment activities that they have no other way to participate in.”

RCTC has heard from additional organizations about the value of funding for these services.

The 15 Measure A Specialized Transit Program grant recipients include:

• Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley
• Boys & Girls Club of Southwest County
• Care-A-Van Transit Inc
• City of Norco Parks – Recreation and Community Services Department
• Forest Folk, Inc.
• Friends of Moreno Valley Senior Center, Inc,
• Operation Safehouse
• Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health (RUHS-BH)
• Riverside University Health System – Medical Center (RUHS-MC)
• EXCEED
• Angel View
• Independent Living Partnership
• Voices for Children
• Blindness Support Service
• Michelle’s Place

With these latest grants, RCTC continues to uphold its commitment of providing funding to non-profit providers of transit services for vulnerable Riverside County residents.

In Moreno Valley, RCTC Specialized Transit Services Measure A Grant helps fund MoVan, a specialized transit service for seniors and individuals with disabilities by providing access to transportation. This service provides door-to-door access to shopping, medical appointments, banking, social events, and living life to the fullest regardless of their physical limitations or mobility challenges.

RCTC’s Measure A grant also funds The City of Norco Seniors on the Move Transportation Program. This program helps meet the transportation needs of seniors, veterans, disabled, and limited English proficiency residents in the City of Norco and surrounding communities. This free service contributes to a more inclusive, equitable society and allows many individuals to maintain their independence while improving their quality of life in the region.

RCTC distributes Measure A grant funding to 15 non-profit and public agencies that provide specialized transit services based on their clients’ needs. Measure A, the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, provides funding for specialized transit options to meet these needs. Through shuttles, vans, and other transport vehicles, these operators offer services that may not be met by traditional transit.

Here is a complete list of Measure A Specialized Transit Program grant funding recipients.

For more information about the program, please email specializedtransit@rctc.org.

For many of us, going to a doctor’s appointment, picking up groceries, or running other errands simply means hopping into the car for a short drive. For many others, it’s a logistical challenge, especially for seniors and riders with poor health or disabilities.

Measure A, the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, provides funding for specialized transit options to meet these needs. Through shuttles, vans, and other transport vehicles, these operators offer services that may not be met by traditional transit.

RCTC distributes Measure A grant funding to 15 non-profit and public agencies that provide a range of specialized transit services based on their clients’ needs.

“This grant is a life saver!” said the center’s Executive Director Kim Gerrish. “People going through treatment don’t feel well and often times are unable to drive themselves to and from their treatment appointments. This program allows Michelle’s Place to provide a ride to those who have no other option to get to their appointments. We are so grateful for this grant and this opportunity to provide this resource,” Gerrish said.

“We are very pleased to be a partner of the RCTC Specialized Transit Program and to enhance the lives of adults with disabilities by providing opportunities for independence, development of mobility skills, and community integration,” said Sandra Aldridge, who serves as Director of Marketing and Resource Development for the non-profit agency. “Without this partnership, EXCEED would not be able to provide critical transportation services that can literally transform lives and help our clients become more independent in their effort to reach their maximum potential,” she said.

Here is a full list of Measure A Specialized Transit Program grant funding recipients.

For more information about the program, please email specializedtransit@rctc.org or call 951-787-7141 and ask for the Specialized Transit Program staff.

The Point: Applications due February 17 to help seniors, others with local transportation needs   

Riding a shuttle to attend Boys & Girls Club programs before and after school. Getting a ride to cancer treatment appointments. Travel training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Specialized transit services like these are lifelines for many western Riverside County residents, helping them to be more mobile and independent.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission is seeking grant applications from agencies and organizations that offer transportation programs for older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals in western Riverside County where public transportation services are unavailable or insufficient.

Eligible applicants include public agencies, human and social service agencies, tribal governments, and private non-profits.

Funding is largely provided by Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County.

Applications are due February 17 at 4 p.m. More information and application forms are available on the RCTC website. During the last grant award process in 2018, RCTC allocated $8.2 million to 18 organizations and agencies.

The Commission will rate the applications and award up to $8.76 million to groups that are able to provide transportation programs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.

Programs can include bus or shuttle operations, distribution of transit passes, vehicle purchases or capital leases, or training to help riders navigate the transit system.

“These specialized transportation services are truly a lifeline for our residents in western Riverside County. Without transportation options like Operation Safehouse, which helps homeless and at-risk youth, or Friends of Moreno Valley Senior Center, many people would be unable to go to school, to work, to the grocery store, or to doctor’s appointments,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik. “We strongly encourage groups to apply for these funds, which are available only every three years.”

For questions, please contact RCTC staff at specializedtransit@rctc.org or at (951) 787-7141.