A groundbreaking transportation program, that has already served almost 2,000 low-income San Mateo County participants with Clipper and FasTrak credits, is getting an update this summer.
The Community Transportation Benefits Program (CTB) is moving to its Next Generation (Next Gen), working to enhance and modernize the existing CTB Program by addressing the evolving transportation needs of residents.
After evaluating the first year of the program, the organization that manages the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes, the Joint Powers Authority (SMCEL-JPA), decided to increase the benefit amount from $100 to $200, add an online enrollment option, and provide the benefit on a mobility debit card instead of a transit card or toll transponder.
Now, the SMCEL-JPA is seeking qualified vendors to provide a technical solution to manage program participation and mobility debit card distribution. This entails managing applications, both online and in-person through the San Mateo County Core Service Agencies Network, and integration with a mobility debit card provider so debit cards can be distributed directly to program participants.
The requested solution includes three high-level elements:
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An online enrollment portal where applicants can apply for the Next Gen CTB Program.
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A program management portal where case managers can review and approve applicants, register applicants that prefer to apply for the program in-person, and distribute the mobility debit card.
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A direct integration with a partnering mobility debit card provider so the mobility debit cards can be easily distributed to program participants.
Key dates and submission guidelines will be provided in the official RFP document, which will be posted online in August.
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About the SMCEL-JPA: The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) formed SMCEL-JPA in 2019 to manage the express lanes. The SMCEL-JPA is responsible for setting policies for operations of the express lanes. Caltrans managed the design and construction of the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes in partnership with SMCTA and C/CAG. The Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority, a Joint Powers Authority between the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Toll Authority, will operate the express lanes under contract by the SMCEL-JPA. For more information about the express lanes, visit https://smcexpresslanes.org/