WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’ and the Biden administration Thursday announced $7.8 million for 17 projects that will improve public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. The grants support organizations that coordinate public transportation for underserved groups.

South Dakota received a pair of grants for a total of $551,040.

The first was $281,760 for River Cities Public Transit to expand the availability of medical transportation services to older adults, people with disabilities, and the general public. This project will improve service and reliability for residents in Martin, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Philip, and Eagle Butte, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation.

The second was for $269,280 for the Prairie Hills Transit to buy a contactless payment technology system that will enhance safety, improve reliability and the rider experience and make transit more accessible to residents in the Black Hills region.

“Transportation is a lifeline that connects Americans to essential services, like health care, and today we’re supporting innovative projects to help more people connect to the help they need” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

“These transportation projects, made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals access the health services they need.”