California investments for solving mobility gaps and cutting air pollution in under-resourced communities now total more than $66 million
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With the latest announcement of $33 million in awards, the total amount distributed from the state’s Clean Mobility Options Voucher Program (CMO) to under-resourced communities and tribes for understanding and addressing their mobility gaps and reducing air pollution exceed $66 million.
The Clean Mobility Options program addresses two major problems in California: Air pollution and the lack of clean transportation options for low-income or disadvantaged communities. Projects funded by the program must directly benefit residents of a low-income community or a disadvantaged community.
“For many awardees, this will be a first-of-its-kind mobility project to be funded and launched in their community,” said California Air Resources Board Executive Officer Dr. Steven Cliff, “Clean Mobility Options was designed around the belief that these communities should receive the highest sustained investments toward safe, efficient, affordable, reliable, and clean transportation options that connect them to the places they need to thrive.”
Tackling transportation emissions is important to achieving California’s air quality targets, especially for low-income Californians and communities of color that disproportionately live on the frontlines of sources of pollution. The funds tackle emissions reductions while also increasing access to cleaner transportation options for underserved communities.
“California is taking a holistic approach to helping communities access equitable, accessible clean transportation options,” said Hannon Rasool, director of the California Energy Commission’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “Community-based transportation equity projects like CMO are meeting community transportation needs as seen and interpreted by those who live there.”
Latest Awards
The Mobility Project Voucher (MPV) gives communities the funding and project support needed to launch a clean, shared mobility project to address their unique transportation challenges. Supported modes of zero-emissions transportation include:
In this latest funding round, the CMO program announced $33 million in new funds for California nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments:
Ten million dollars was offered to Window 1 MPV awardees to help cover higher-than-expected insurance, labor, and operational costs, many of which have already been launched. Visit Window 1 MPV awardee for more details. All launched projects and all new Window 2 MPV recipients’ locations and project descriptions are listed below.
The response to the second MPV application window shows a strong demand and need for this funding. While only 17 new communities received funds this round, 85 applicants requested as much as $1.5 million each.
Launched Projects
In its first funding window, CMO awarded MPVs to 20 California nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments. Since then, 17 awardees have launched their projects:
“It should be noted that Window 1 awardees worked tirelessly to launch their mobility projects during the height of the pandemic, overcoming numerous unforeseen hurdles, including production shortages in vehicle manufacturing and parts, which exacerbated delays,” said Cesar Hernandez Deputy Director at CALSTART, an administrator for the program. “Additional funds provided to these awardees in the latest funding window will help them continue to deliver a service that is directly benefiting the community.”
Project videos celebrating launches in Rancho San Pedro, Stockton, San Joaquin County, National City, Calexico, Huron, and Redding are available.
CARB also recently announced awards of over $42 million to Clean Mobility in Schools (CMIS) and the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) to support community-led projects in disadvantaged and low-income communities in California. See the full press release. CMO, CMIS, and STEP are part of CARB’s Sustainable Community-Based Transportation Equity Projects.
About California Climate Investments
CMO is funded by California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in underserved communities.
About Clean Mobility Options
CMO is designed to fill transportation gaps in under-resourced regions and cut climate and air pollution. The program provides the funding, resources and support to local communities so they can lead in developing their unique mobility solutions that are cleaner, more affordable, and more accessible than what’s currently available.
In addition to providing MPV funding the program also offers community transportation needs assessment vouchers for communities to analyze their transportation system and to identify the specific needs of residents. The program also features extensive technical support starting from the application process and extending through project launch and beyond. Each project is assigned a dedicated technical assistance team member to address challenges, provide guidance, and offer ongoing support.
About CEC’s Clean Transportation Program
CMO is also funded by California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Clean Transportation Program. CEC’s Clean Transportation Program is investing more than $1 billion to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission transportation infrastructure and support in-state manufacturing and workforce training and development.
NEW MPV WINDOW 2 AWARDEES
(Listed in alphabetical order by lead applicant)
Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley
Amount Awarded: $1,000,000
Lead: Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley
Award Partner(s): Eastern Sierra Transit, Motiv Power Systems
Project Name: Moving Towards All-Electric In Big Pine
Location: Big Pine Paiute Tribal Land, Inyo County
Description:
The Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley will use CMO funding for the “Moving Towards All-Electric In Big Pine” project. This initiative aims to address the limited public transportation options available to tribal members in Inyo County, particularly those from the Big Pine Paiute Tribe. The project establishes an electric bus/shuttle service and includes the installation of three charging stations, dedicated to the shuttle vans and buses. Additionally, two new bus stops will provide shelter, cooling stations for passengers. This program will benefit under-resourced tribal members, offering flexible transit options to access essential services, amenities, and healthcare. The electric charging stations will support the shuttle service and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the area.
Bishop Paiute Tribe
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: Bishop Paiute Tribe
Award Partner(s): N/A
Project Name: Nuumu Mobility (NuMob) Project, Bishop Paiute Reservation.
Location: Tribal Land, Inyo County
Description:
The Bishop Paiute Tribe intends to utilize CMO funding for the Nuumu Mobility (NuMob) Project, which focuses on establishing a transit service for the safe transportation of children and elders in Bishop, California. This service will involve the use of medium-duty shuttles, mini-vans, and a 30-passenger electric school bus to facilitate access to essential tribal programs, including the Bishop Indian Education Center, Bishop Elder Program, and Bishop Indians Headstart Program. The project’s aims to ensure the safe and reliable transportation of tribal members, particularly children and elders, who face challenges when walking along rural roads. The NuMob Project aims to enhance tribal members’ access to and utilization of crucial tribal services.
California State University, Dominguez Hills Toro Auxiliary-Partners
Amount Awarded: $1,499,936
Lead: California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Toro Auxiliary-Partners
Award Partner(s): KINTO Share, a service mark of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
Project Name: Toro Clean Air Carshare
Location: South Los Angeles
Description:
With CMO funding, CSUDH Toro Auxiliary-Partners is launching the Toro Clean Air Carshare program on campus to assist economically disadvantaged students from underserved South Los Angeles communities. This initiative features seven electric cars, seven charging stations, student office assistants, and scholarships to promote carshare use, enhance mobility, and address campus transit challenges. The program provides students with accessible, reliable transportation for job interviews, healthcare, and essential services, aiming to alleviate transportation disparities in the surrounding communities while fostering environmentally-friendly mobility solutions. Additionally, it paves the way for a CSUDH Mobility Hub.
City of Costa Mesa
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: City of Costa Mesa
Award Partner(s): Circuit Transit
Project Name: Let’s Go Costa Mesa
Location: Costa Mesa
Description:
The City of Costa Mesa is harnessing CMO funding to introduce the Circuit Let’s Go Costa Mesa program, an all-electric on-demand shuttle service. This initiative is designed to provide safe, cost-effective, and convenient first and last-mile transportation connections for both the local community and visitors, connecting crucial destinations such as healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, grocery stores, and local businesses. Operating up to 10 hours a day, seven days a week, with ongoing updates based on community feedback. The program will expand mobility options for disadvantaged communities, establish links to public transit and essential community services, promote economic development, and contribute to improved air quality.
City of El Cajon
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: City of El Cajon
Award Partner(s): Via Transportation, Inc. (Nomad Transit LLC)
Project Name: El Cajon On-Demand
Location: El Cajon
Description:
The City of El Cajon is making use of CMO funding to introduce an on-demand dynamically routed micro-transit service featuring three electric vehicles. This El Cajon On-Demand service aims to enhance city-wide coverage and bolster first- and last-mile connections to the frequent bus and trolley services at the El Cajon Transit Center. The primary goals of this initiative are to modernize the public transit system and improve mobility for transit-dependent populations. The service is designed to facilitate efficient coordination, boost ridership, and provide seamless connections within the broader San Diego transit network.
City of San Jose
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: City of San Jose
Award Partner(s): Lyft
Location: City of San Jose, Mayfair Neighborhood
Project Name: !Bikeshare en Mayfair!
Description:
The City of San Jose is leveraging CMO funding to extend its bikeshare program and establish a vital connection between the Mayfair neighborhood and East San Jose with the city’s expanding bike network. The “!Bikeshare en Mayfair!” initiative seeks to improve access to downtown connections and other essential destinations for historically marginalized, under resourced communities of color. The program aims to enhance bike accessibility in these communities, promoting a shift towards safer streets by reducing single occupancy vehicle usage and making sustainable options such as cycling and emerging mobility more attractive. This service is expected to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse emissions and the creation of equitable 20-minute neighborhoods characterized by safety and walkability.
City of Santa Barbara
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: City of Santa Barbara
Award Partner(s): Bicycle Transit Systems, Amet Partners, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition dba MOVE Santa Barbara County
Project Name: Enhancing Access to Sustainable Transportation in Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara
Description:
The City of Santa Barbara will leverage CMO funding to expand its all-electric bike-share pilot program, specifically targeting under resourced communities in Santa Barbara. This initiative will add more bike-share docking stations and e-bikes, enhance accessibility, and promote biking as a sustainable transportation option. The project will fund the installation of physical bike share infrastructure in AB 1550 designated low-income areas; develop, implement, and market a robust and streamlined low-income membership process, and provide annual low-income memberships for qualifying users. This comprehensive program aims to address the transportation challenges faced by under-resourced residents in Santa Barbara and foster the use of the bike share program as a sustainable, affordable, and accessible transportation option.
Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation
Amount Awarded: $1,000,000
Lead: Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation (FMBCF)
Award Partner(s): Imperial Electric
Project Name: Van-Werx
Location: Fresno, CA
Description:
Utilizing CMO funding, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation is introducing an on-demand shuttle service in addition to its bike and carshare projects, catering to under-resourced communities in Fresno. The service, known as Van-Werx, will deploy shared-use electric vehicles. The program will support the maintenance of electric vehicles and facilitate local workforce development and educational practices to launch the on-demand shuttle project. This expansion aims to bridge gaps in the current bike and carshare projects, offering solutions to residents facing obstacles like limited driving privileges, biking limitations, or being too young to drive. The project seeks to provide under-resourced residents with broader mobility access within Fresno County, addressing their limited or non-existent access to private or public mobility options.
Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
Amount Awarded: $600,000
Lead: Hopland Band of Pomo Indians
Award Partner(s): N/A
Project Name: Increasing Tribal Access to Clean Mobility
Location: Tribal Land in Hopland, CA within Mendocino County
Description:
The Hopland Band of Pomo Indians intends to utilize CMO funding to introduce “Increasing Tribal Access to Clean Mobility,” a vital clean transportation service. This initiative aims to provide two vehicles, bridging the transportation gap for both younger and older tribal members. These vehicles will enable access to tribal lands, schools in the Ukiah community, grocery stores, and laundromats. The program addresses the immediate transportation needs of under-resourced residents, especially Hopland tribal members with limited car access or who are unable to drive. The service offers a clean and accessible transportation solution for community members facing mobility challenges.
The Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy Institute (Pajaro)
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: The Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy (LEAP) Institute
Award Partner(s): N/A
Project Name: CMO Pajaro
Location: Pajaro
Description:
The LEAP Institute, with the support of CMO funding, is bringing a variety of clean mobility options to the under-resourced residents of Pajaro. Pajaro is an under-resourced community with inadequate infrastructure and is disproportionally affected by air pollution. This comprehensive initiative includes an electric vehicle rideshare program, bike/trikeshare programs, and an on-demand shuttle service. The CMO Pajaro service will offer the community access to electric vans, seven-passenger Teslas, and electric trikes with trailers for children and cargo. The primary goal of this program is to provide under-resourced residents with diverse mobility options that improve their access to medical facilities, schools, parks, grocery stores, and other essential daily needs.
North Park Main Street
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: North Park Main Street (NPMS)
Award Partner(s): Via Transportation, Inc. (Nomad Transit LLC)
Project Name: Mid City Community Shuttle
Location: City Heights and North Park via University Avenue
Description:
With the support of CMO funding, North Park Main Street is introducing an affordable on-demand shuttle service aimed at benefiting the City Heights and North Park communities. The Circuit North Park & City Heights service allows community members to request or hail a vehicle. The service offers cost-effective flat rates to the general public and reduced rates to eligible community members, including electric ADA-accessible vehicles for those who require ADA assistance. The communities of City Heights, North Park, and the wider Mid City area have been actively seeking economical transportation options to access workplaces, businesses, and essential community services, particularly impacting the lives of youth striving to overcome poverty. This service prioritizes key destinations, such as healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, grocery stores, senior living facilities, and other locations, all based on valuable community input.
Riverside Community College District
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: Riverside Community College District
Award Partner(s): EVGIDE, Inc.
Project Name: ChargeToCampus “Driving the Future”
Location: Riverside City College, Norco College, and Moreno Valley College
Description:
The Riverside Community College District is utilizing CMO funding to introduce an innovative and comprehensive electric car share program, named the “ChargeToCampus” project. This groundbreaking initiative is tailored to the routines of college students at Riverside City College, Norco College, and Moreno Valley College, providing access to 14 electric vehicles, dedicated parking, and Level 2 charging infrastructure at each campus. The “ChargeToCampus” program offers an eco-friendly and convenient transportation solution that aligns seamlessly with the schedules and preferences of college students, while also promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and the reduction of carbon emissions. This comprehensive program simplifies the user experience, allowing individuals to plan, schedule, and pay for various transportation options, including public transit and micro-mobility choices like e-bikes and e-scooters, all within a single payment gateway.
San Diego Association of Governments
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Award Partner(s): Via Transportation, Inc. (Nomad Transit LLC), Urban Collaborative Project
Project Name: Southeast San Diego On-Demand Microtransit Project
Location: Chollas View & Emerald Hills Communities in San Diego, CA
Description:
SANDAG is making use of CMO funding to introduce a new fully electric microtransit service for the neighborhoods of Chollas View and Emerald Hills. The Southeast San Diego On-Demand Microtransit Project offers residents in Southeast San Diego a faster, direct, and more reliable service, improving access to community destinations and providing first-mile/last-mile connections to transit and key destinations. This service complements and connects with public transit, enhancing the convenience, enjoyment, and accessibility of transit options. The project aims to increase access to supermarkets, hospitals, educational institutions, employment centers, and more.
San Joaquin Valley Community Shared Mobility, Inc. dba Miocar
Amount Awarded: $756,000
Lead: San Joaquin Valley Community Shared Mobility, Inc. dba Miocar
Award Partner(s): MioCar, Self Help Enterprises
Project Name: Miocar Electric Vehicle Carsharing Program
Location: Tulare & Kern Counties
Description:
With the assistance of CMO funding, San Joaquin Valley Community Shared Mobility, Inc., operating under the name Miocar, is expanding its existing electric vehicle carsharing program. This initiative will introduce ten new vehicles, replacing and or supplementing the existing fleet at five established carsharing stations and three or more additional locations situated at Self Help Enterprise facilities. The goal of this program is to broaden access to a more dynamic transportation option, allowing residents to commute beyond the limitations of limited transit service hours. The initiative is designed to provide under-resourced residents with easier access to work, appointments, hard-to-reach locations, and community service hubs, ultimately improving their overall mobility and quality of life.
San Joaquin Council of Governments
Amount Awarded: $1,385,000
Lead: San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG)
Award Partner(s): Drop Mobility
Project Name: Bike Stockton Bikeshare Expansion
Location: Stockton Area
Description:
San Joaquin Council of Governments is expanding the Bike Stockton bikeshare program to further reach underserved communities with the support of CMO funding. The Bike Stockton Bikeshare Expansion Project will increase the program’s existing fleet, increasing the number of approximately 125 e-bikes, including new bicycle configurations such as e-trikes. This expansion also involves leveraging several concurrent SJCOG planning and implementation initiatives in identifying community needs and ideal locations for up to 12 new bikeshare hubs. Additionally, the project team will consider new infrastructure options, such as bike lockers and charging docks, to enable partnerships in neighborhoods across the project area. In San Joaquin County’s underserved communities, affordable transportation options can be limited, aggravating existing disparities. This initiative provides a solution for residents facing transportation challenges, enhancing connectivity to various transportation services through greater e-bike availability.
Western Riverside Council of Governments
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG)
Award Partner(s): EVGIDE, Inc.
Project Name: Electric Vehicle Get in Drive Everywhere (EVGIDE) Community Carshare
Location: Corona, Moreno Valley, and San Jacinto
Description:
WRCOG, with the support of CMO funding, is introducing a community carshare program in the cities of Corona, Hemet, Moreno Valley, and San Jacinto. The EVGIDE Community Carshare service is set to deploy 15 cars across the four cities and identify charging opportunities at select locations across the communities. WRCOG’s EVGIDE Community Carshare program is designed to foster the creation of more sustainable and equitable communities by simplifying access to reliable and affordable transportation for residents, allowing them to fulfill their daily needs with ease.
Youth Transportation Organization
Amount Awarded: $1,500,000
Lead: Youth Transportation Organization (Yoots)
Award Partner(s): N/A
Project Name: Youth Transportation Organization’s Richmond Outdoor Zero Emissions Shuttle Fleet
Location: Unincorporated Communities in Contra Costa County
Description:
Yoots is utilizing CMO funding to launch a youth outdoor excursion transportation service that can be reserved and rented by community organizations and the West Contra Costa Unified School District in Contra Costa County. Yoots’ Richmond Outdoor Zero Emissions Shuttle Fleet service is designed to provide local residents, especially youth and families from under-resourced communities, with opportunities to access services and programming in parks and open spaces through a clean fleet of electric vans and buses. The service aims to offer vehicles available for use seven days a week, with drivers accessible five days a week, enabling youth and families to connect with nature without contributing to pollution levels in their neighborhoods. In Contra Costa County and Richmond, residents face challenges like high unemployment, poverty, and elevated air pollution from nearby industries and heavy traffic on freeways and roads. Moreover, there is a significant lack of access to healthy, green public spaces.
*The Let’s Go Costa Mesa project in the City of Costa Mesa is a Window 2 recipient that launched on an accelerated timeline.
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