The South-Central Community Action Agency (SCCAA) near Jackson, MS, will receive funding to test the feasibility of an integrated electronic fare payment system for riders of eight partner agencies in rural Mississippi. The program will utilize QRyde software, in order to provide universal payment card for unbanked riders to pay fares via cash, mobile device or web, including subsidies, to travel anywhere in the partner areas covering 9,000 square miles. This funding will be provided by the FTA’s Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) program. 

SCCAA is one of 25 programs in 17 states receiving a share of the $8.5 million in HOPE Program funds allocated to improve transit services or facilities in areas of persistent poverty through planning, engineering, technical studies, or financial plans. It’s intent is to help reduce fatality rates on rural transportation infrastructure and to increase access to jobs and healthcare through enhanced transit options and improved facilities.

Established in 2001, The South Central Community Action Agency, Inc. (SCCAA), a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt community service corporation. Founding community leaders were concerned about the rapid closing of major manufacturing companies which resulted in the loss of over 4,000 jobs. The early organizers of SCCAA were passionate about helping families who were losing their ability to be economically self-sufficient.

Read SCCAA’s press release here.