An Essential Guide for Organizations Serving Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities
Across the country, transportation providers, senior centers, adult-day programs, disability-service organizations, and municipal human-services agencies rely on dependable vehicles to serve the people who need mobility the most. But the cost of new transportation equipment continues to rise, and long production delays make it harder to replace aging vehicles or expand service.
Fortunately, the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program offers a powerful funding opportunity to help agencies upgrade or grow their fleets.
At Best Buses For Sale, we work with 5310-funded organizations nationwide, supplying clean, low-mileage, fully reconditioned shuttle and wheelchair buses that are ready to work on day one. This guide explains how the Section 5310 program works, who qualifies, and how organizations can use their funding to purchase reliable used buses that meet program requirements.
What Is the Section 5310 Program?
Section 5310 is a federal grant program administered by the FTA that helps improve mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. The goal is simple: support accessible transportation where regular public transit is unavailable, insufficient, or not designed for the populations being served.
Depending on the state, Section 5310 funding can support:
- Capital purchases, including shuttle buses, wheelchair-accessible buses, mobility vans, and paratransit vehicles
- Mobility-management projects, including scheduling systems, dispatch software, or coordinated transportation planning
- Contracted transportation services, where agencies partner with private operators
- Non-traditional transportation options such as volunteer driver programs, demand-response services, or targeted NEMT transport
Every state administers the program slightly differently, but the core mission remains the same: improve access, reduce isolation, and support the mobility needs of vulnerable community members.
Can Section 5310 Funds Be Used to Purchase Used Buses?
Yes.
This is one of the most important and least understood aspects of the program.
The FTA allows Section 5310 capital funds to be used for both new and used vehicles, as long as the vehicle:
- Is ADA compliant (if required)
- Is in sound mechanical condition
- Includes documentation of fair-market value
- Meets your state DOT’s requirements
- Has inspection and lift-service documentation
Best Buses For Sale provides all required documentation, including:
- Mechanical inspection and reconditioning reports
- Wheelchair lift service and functionality reports
- Photos, videos, and detailed specifications
- A clean title
- A clear, itemized invoice suitable for grant submissions
Used buses offer several advantages to grant-funded agencies:
- Lower total cost = lower local match requirement
- Immediate availability (no 12- to 18-month wait)
- Ability to purchase two used buses for the cost of one new build
- Proven performance in senior and disability-transport settings
This is why so many nonprofits, municipalities, and human-services providers choose to source their 5310-eligible vehicles from us.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Section 5310 Funding?
Organizations that typically qualify include:
- Nonprofit organizations serving seniors or individuals with disabilities
- Municipal human-services departments
- Senior centers and adult-day programs
- Disability-service providers (ARC, OPWDD groups, etc.)
- NEMT providers partnered with eligible agencies
- Public transit providers offering ADA or demand-response services
If your organization provides mobility support or community transportation to vulnerable populations, Section 5310 funding can likely support your fleet needs.
What Types of Vehicles Are Eligible Under Section 5310?
The program commonly funds:
- Wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses
- Ford E-350 and E-450 cutaways
- Ford Transit mobility vans
- Ford F-550 and F-650 larger-capacity vehicles
- Low-floor accessible buses
- Paratransit ambulettes
These categories are the core of our inventory at Best Buses For Sale. Every unit we offer is selected for:
- Rust-free condition (primarily southern-sourced vehicles)
- Low mileage
- Clean Carfax or comparable history
- Mechanical reliability
- Proper ADA configuration
- Strong reconditioning potential
How to Use Section 5310 Funding to Purchase a Bus From Best Buses For Sale
1. Capital Purchase
Most applicants use 5310 funding to purchase a bus directly. The program typically pays 80% of eligible capital expenses, significantly reducing the cost burden.
You can purchase now, include the invoice in your application, and—depending on your state’s rules—be reimbursed upon award, or accept delivery once funding is released.
2. Partnering as a Contracted Transportation Provider
Section 5310 allows eligible agencies to contract transportation services to a private operator. If you operate NEMT, senior transportation, or community shuttle services, you can use our buses to expand fleet capacity and partner with grant-funded entities.
3. Fleet Replacement
Many organizations use 5310 funds to retire aging vehicles and replace them with clean, reliable, reconditioned units. Our buses fit seamlessly into these programs because they are:
- Already ADA compliant
- Fully serviced
- Backed by documentation
- Ready for immediate deployment
4. Mobility-Management Projects
Some customers combine the bus purchase with technology investments such as:
- Dispatch systems
- Scheduling software
- Fleet coordination platforms
Section 5310 allows these tools to be paired with updated vehicles for maximum operational benefit.
Why Grant-Funded Agencies Trust Best Buses For Sale
We are not a national reseller, an auction aggregator, or a faceless marketplace. We are a family-run, owner-operated dealership that has built a reputation on transparency, reliability, and hands-on service.
Every bus we sell is:
- Personally inspected and road-tested
- Professionally serviced (HVAC, brakes, suspension, fluids)
- Lift-tested and documented
- Detailed inside and out
- Photographed and video-walked by Manny himself
- Free of northern rust and corrosion issues
- Ready to be placed into service immediately
We also offer:
- The ability to hold a bus after purchase until your funding or delivery schedule is ready
- Full documentation for your grant packet
- Real sold prices posted on our website for complete transparency
- Nationwide delivery coordination
Many agencies come back to us year after year because they know exactly what they’re getting: clean, reliable vehicles that support their mission and keep their service running smoothly.
When Should You Purchase a 5310-Eligible Bus?
Section 5310 programs run on annual cycles. Because award decisions and reimbursements can take time, the most successful applicants:
- Select a vehicle early
- Use our invoice and documentation in their application
- Take delivery when funding releases
- Avoid last-minute competition during peak buying periods
Our inventory moves fast, especially leading up to grant deadlines. Organizations that plan early secure better equipment, better pricing, and more favorable timing.
Ready to Explore 5310-Eligible Shuttle & Wheelchair Buses?
Visit our website to view current inventory, transparent pricing, and real sold-price history:
Or contact us directly:
Best Buses For Sale
Huntington, NY
Call or text: 516-852-2748
We can help you:
- Identify the right 5310-eligible vehicles
- Prepare documentation for your grant packet
- Understand state-specific requirements
- Coordinate delivery and timing
- Build or expand your fleet with matched sets or single units
Whether you are replacing one aging vehicle or launching a full community transportation initiative, we supply reliable, reconditioned buses that support your mission and satisfy the requirements of the Section 5310 program.