A Local Opportunity to Expand Accessible Transportation
What Becoming a Local Access Fund Administrator Means for Your County
For people who use wheelchairs, transportation can be the difference between participating in everyday life or being left out. Getting to work, a doctor’s appointment, or a family gathering often depends on whether a wheelchair accessible vehicle is available at the right time. In many parts of California, that access is still limited.
The TNC Access for All Program was created to help close that gap.
Administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the program expands access to on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) service across the state. Established under Senate Bill 1376 and extended in 2025 through Assembly Bill 1532, the program is authorized through January 1, 2032.
How a WAV would look picking someone up for a ride.
As the CPUC prepares for Round 6 funding, county transportation/planning agencies are invited to partner with the CPUC as Local Access Fund Administrators, or LAFAs, for fiscal years 2026–2027.
Why Counties Should Consider the LAFA Role
Becoming a LAFA is not just an administrative role. It is a chance for counties to directly shape how accessible transportation works for their residents.
As a LAFA, your agency can bring dedicated funding into your county and decide how it is used to expand or improve on-demand WAV service. Counties can design a local program that reflects their geography, travel patterns, and service gaps, while working directly with local transportation providers. The result is more reliable access to jobs, health care, education, and community life for residents who rely on wheelchair accessible transportation.
This model keeps decision-making close to the community, allowing solutions to be tailored locally rather than applied uniformly statewide.
What the LAFA Role Involves
Selected LAFAs administer TNC Access for all funds at the county level and oversee the development of a local WAV program. This includes planning how funds will be used, coordinating with local on-demand transportation providers, and ensuring program requirements are met.
Round 6 is designed to give counties time to do this work thoughtfully as LAFAs are provided a full development period to design a strong, workable program before contracting with service providers begins.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
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Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)
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Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPA)
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County Transportation Commissions that are not already an MPO or RTPA
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If none of the above apply, a qualifying local transit agency may be considered
Application Requirements and Timeline
Applications are due April 1, 2026. A complete application package includes:
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LAFA Application with a Certification of Program Requirements
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Notarized affidavit agreeing to all program terms
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Payee Data Record (STD 204 form)
Completed applications must be emailed to tncaccess@cpuc.ca.gov by the deadline.
The CPUC anticipates selecting LAFAs by July 1, 2026. Within 15 days of selection, approved LAFAs must submit a consent form and board resolution. This allows funding to be distributed by September 30 and ensures the local planning process can begin on time.
What Happens After Selection
Once selected, LAFAs will:
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Develop a local WAV program with community input.
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Establish a process to solicit, screen, and select local Access Providers.
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Coordinate quarterly data reporting to the CPUC.
This is where planning turns into action and funding translates into real, accessible transportation options on the ground.
Key Dates at a Glance
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April 1, 2026 – LAFA applications due
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July 1, 2026 – LAFAs selected
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July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 – Local program development period
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July 1, 2027 – Contracting with Access Providers begins
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June 30, 2028 – Deadline to liquidate all Round 6 funds
Partnering to Improve Access
Transportation access is about more than travel. It is about independence, dignity, and the ability to fully participate in community life. By serving as a Local Access Fund Administrator, counties can play a direct role in expanding these opportunities for wheelchair users in their communities.
Program materials, including each county’s Notice of Funding Availability and detailed requirements, are available on the CPUC’s TNC Access for All webpage.
For questions, contact tncaccess@cpuc.ca.gov.
To apply now, click here.
By Taseen Shamim, Public Information Officer