The JARC Guidance indicates that FTA will expect to see evidence that the partners involved in the collaborative planning process support the application and the regional plan which is developed. Letters of endorsement, commitments to specific activities, or other indications of furthering job access goals developed through the collaborative planning process by partnering agencies are indications of their support of the JARC Plan and Program. It is expected that this JARC collaborative planning process take place within the context of, or be coordinated with, the metropolitan transportation planning process. As with other standard FTA requirements, public involvement requirements must be met before a Job Access and Reverse Commute project is finally awarded. It is recognized that these requirements may be not be entirely completed prior to submission of an application.
Public involvement calls for broad community involvement and outreach.
Special efforts may be needed to engage grassroots organizations in the JARC-related public involvement process, and it is expected that JARC grant applicants will work with MPOs and states to make sure that this happens. The public involvement process requires States or MPOs to demonstrate explicit consideration and response to public input received during the planning and program development processes. Any form of endorsement, including those above, will be acceptable. The guidance identifies non-profit organizations among the list of eligible applicants for the program. Therefore, non-profits may apply directly and need not be sponsored or be a part of an application by a traditional FTA grantee.