October 30, 2025
Dear Member or Prospective Member,
I am Millie Ryan, President of the Alaska Mobility Coalition.
Thank you for your membership and interest in the work of our nonprofit organization, a statewide coalition formed to promote coordinated transportation options for residents and visitors of Alaska. Although a small association, we did some mighty things this past year, primarily through board member advocacy. But we also teamed up with many other partners, like AgeNet, the State Independent Living Council (SILC), the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE), and the Key Coalition of Alaska which met with members of the Governor’s administration, along with 56 legislators last year to support the following:
- Putting Public and Community Transit into Statute: The advocacy efforts of several AMC board members, plus the support of many other senior and disability groups, worked! CSHB 26, sponsored by Rep. Mina, passed the House and moved to the Senate, where we intend to advocate for its final passage when the session starts in January. You can learn more about this legislation here: CSHB26. Be sure to follow this bill and offer your support and expert testimony. We are so excited to have come this far, making sure that the State of Alaska, now and forever, prioritizes public and community transit.
- $700 K for Coordinated Human Services Transportation Grant Program through DOT: $700 K Capital funding passed for the Human Services Transportation Grant program for the FY 26 State Budget, which was down from prior years. However, because there have not been enough entities applying for the funds in the past few years, we do not anticipate less funding for the program in 2026. You should apply if this program is a good fit for your agency. To learn more about this grant program, check it out here. Many members have submitted a letter of intent to apply in September. If more agencies were applying for these funds, we could argue that the state needs to provide more funding.
- Transit Match Funding: With all the strains on the State budget this year, both operating and capital, it was not a good year to advocate for match funding. We tried but could not get any new funding. However, the good news is that funding was set aside the year before for federal funding match through the Denali Commission, and many of our members took advantage of that to help with their federal match requirements. We understand the opportunity still exists with the Denali Commission, so check out their website here and apply for funding.
- Individualized Transportation Fund: The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is investing $250,000 into a pilot project to be launched this state fiscal year through Senior and Disability Services for “Individual transportation grants”. We are very excited about this new pot of funds to meet the individual needs of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries they serve. Even if you are lucky enough to have public and community transit providers operating in your community, not all needs can be met. AMC has heard hundreds of stories from people who cannot meet their transportation needs. For instance, what if you work late at night and there is no bus or service to get home when you are off the clock? This program might fund taxi vouchers, or even preload your rideshare app, provide gas cards for a family member willing to drive you, or even pay a mileage reimbursement to a neighbor, friend, or family member willing to drive you to where you need to go. We will keep our members informed when this program rolls out, but we believe it has the potential to grow well beyond this initial Trust investment.
Save the Date and Attend the Annual Zoom Meeting on November 10, 2025, at 3:30 pm
- Topic: Alaska Mobility Coalition 2025 Annual Meeting
- Time: November 10, 2025, 03:30 PM Alaska
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81244649861?pwd=CuzSBFAt9vAyJ97s7w1tYBaQjbvhxG.1
- Meeting ID: 812 4464 9861
- Passcode: 030582
- One tap mobile:
+12532158782,,81244649861# US, +13462487799,,81244649861# US
Please continue to help us advocate for the transportation needs of Alaskans!
- Please renew your membership via invoice which we will mail by November 15 or online via website: https://alaskamobility.org/about/president-message/join-online/
- Please help us grow our active members through your sphere of influence. Which individual or organization are you engaged with that should support AMC?
- Join the board. We are looking for a few new board members to fill vacant seats, so if you are interested, let us know!
- Please email us at alaskamobilitycoalition@gmail.com. Mail us at PO Box 1612, Homer, Alaska 99603.
Warm regards,
Millie
Millie Ryan, President, Alaska Mobility Coalition