Montgomery County Seniors Gain Local Transit Support as TxDOT Approves $154 Million Statewide
For Montgomery County residents who no longer drive, have a disability or simply need help getting from home to an appointment, transportation can determine whether everyday necessities remain within reach.
A new round of Texas Department of Transportation funding includes $160,000 for Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, supporting the nonprofit's countywide curb-to-curb transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. The local award is part of more than $154 million in state and federal public transit funding approved by the Texas Transportation Commission during its June and July meetings.
The statewide investment is intended to help Texans reach jobs, schools, medical appointments, grocery stores and other essential destinations while strengthening public transportation options in both rural and urban communities. TxDOT says 77 public transit agencies and nonprofit organizations across Texas are receiving funding.
What the TxDOT Funding Means for Montgomery County
For Montgomery County, the statewide announcement has a particularly local connection through Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, an organization perhaps best known for delivering meals to homebound seniors but whose services extend beyond food assistance.
TxDOT specifically highlighted the nonprofit's countywide curb-to-curb transportation program as an example of how the newly awarded money can expand mobility for seniors and people with disabilities.
The Texas Transportation Commission's July funding documents show Meals on Wheels Montgomery County receiving $160,000 through the Federal Transit Administration's Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program, known as Section 5310. That program is designed specifically to improve transportation for older adults and people with disabilities.
In practical terms, curb-to-curb transportation can help residents complete trips that many people take for granted: getting to a doctor's office, picking up groceries, handling errands or reaching other services when driving independently is not an option.
That mobility can be especially meaningful in a geographically large county where destinations may be miles apart and access to traditional fixed-route public transportation varies from community to community.
More Than $154 Million Approved Across Texas
The statewide total comes from two major Texas Transportation Commission actions. In June, commissioners approved approximately $107.97 million for public transportation needs, followed by approximately $46.03 million in July, bringing the combined funding to just over $154 million.
The money comes from a combination of state resources and Federal Transit Administration programs and will be used differently depending on local needs.
“Public transit is an essential part of connecting many Texans to the people, places and opportunities that matter most,” Texas Transportation Commission Acting Chair Alvin New said. “Whether it’s a ride to work, school, a medical appointment or the grocery store, these services help provide safe, reliable options that give more Texans the freedom to get where they need to go.”
Funding across Texas will support expanded transportation for seniors and people with disabilities, upgraded transit infrastructure, improved existing services and additional mobility options.
Texas Transit Projects Range From Vehicles to New Technology
The Montgomery County program is one piece of a much broader transportation investment.
Among the projects highlighted by TxDOT, Rolling Plains Management Corporation will purchase accessible vehicles equipped with additional safety features such as onboard cameras. Senior Center Resources and Public Transit, Inc. plans to introduce an artificial intelligence-powered voice self-service system offering automated assistance to rural transit riders around the clock. (Texas Department of Transportation)
The City of Lubbock will use funding to move forward with engineering, design and environmental work for an administrative and maintenance facility, a downtown transfer facility and community mobility hubs. All Aboard America will support intercity bus routes across West Texas that connect communities with the larger national intercity bus network.
The July commission action alone awarded approximately $46 million across several federal and state transit programs. The funding included $7.37 million specifically through the Section 5310 program supporting enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities — the same funding category that includes the Montgomery County award.
Why Local Transportation Access Matters
For residents looking at a statewide announcement involving $154 million, the numbers can feel removed from day-to-day life. The Montgomery County portion brings the impact closer to home.
The local funding is not for a major highway or a new interchange. It supports transportation for residents who may have fewer options for getting around independently.
That distinction matters because mobility is closely tied to access. A transportation service can mean reaching a medical appointment instead of postponing it, making a necessary grocery trip or remaining connected to services outside the home.
The funding also reflects a broader definition of transportation infrastructure. Alongside highways and major road projects, Texas' transportation network includes the smaller-scale services that help people complete essential trips when a personal vehicle is not available or practical.
What Happens Next
The Texas Transportation Commission has authorized TxDOT to move forward with the awards, including necessary federal applications and contracts. The July awards were approved through Minute Order 117232 on July 30, 2026.
For Montgomery County, the most immediate takeaway is the $160,000 directed to Meals on Wheels Montgomery County and its transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities.
As Montgomery County continues to grow, transportation conversations often center on roads, congestion and major infrastructure projects. This funding puts another part of mobility into focus: making sure residents who cannot simply get behind the wheel still have a way to reach the places they need to go.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Montgomery County transportation, mobility and community service updates as new projects and funding move forward.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.