A fund created by Capital Metro called the Basic Transportation Needs Fund is undergoing a rebranding to the Transit Empowerment Fund as a way to reach more individuals who need access to transportation.[/caption]

A fund established by Capital Metro to provide transportation to low-income residents and others in need is undergoing a rebranding.

The Basic Transportation Needs Fund began in October 2011, and Capital Metro currently provides about $350,000 annually to support the fund, which is maintained by nonprofit Austin Community Foundation. A seven-member board from Capital Metro and private and nonprofit agencies oversees the fund.

Amy Tempereley, BTNF volunteer board member and president of Temperley Consulting, said the fund will now be called the Transit Empowerment Fund to better represent the fund’s mission to empower anybody regardless of age or income.

“We’ve reached a point where we need to diversify the funding and better reach the community,” she said. “We need a face for nonprofit agencies to recognize us.”

Money from the funds are distributing through nonprofit agencies that serve low-income residents, including children and seniors, by applying for a variety of transit passes and reduced fare cards to serve their clients. Since the fund's inception, more than 1.6 million rides have been provided, averaging about 43,200 rides per month, Temperley said.

The target population for the fund is seniors age 65 or older, children age 17 or younger, people with disabilities, refugees, Medicare card holders and people who are homeless. To be eligible for a pass, an individual must be at 150 percent or below the Federal Poverty Income Level, according to fund documents.

Temperley said the fund’s partner nonprofits includes Meals on Wheels and More, SafePlace, Caritas of Austin and Green Doors.

“It’s really anybody serving people in need,” she said.

Temperley said the next steps are to create a website for the Transit Empowerment Fund and have a more streamlined process for applying for grants. In the meantime, nonprofits interested in partnering with the fund or receiving more information may email [email protected].