Filing Date:

Varies; contact your state DOT for more information.

Eligibility:

State and local government authorities in urbanized areas with fixed guideway public transportation facilities operating for at least 7 years.

Description:

Dedicated to repairing and upgrading the nation’s rail transit systems along with high-intensity motor bus systems that use high-occupancy vehicle lanes, including bus rapid transit (BRT), this formula-based grant program reflects a commitment to ensuring that public transit operates safely, efficiently, reliably and sustainably so that communities can offer balanced transportation choices that help to improve mobility, reduce congestion and encourage economic development.

Eligible activities include capital projects to maintain a system in a state of good repair such as projects to replace and rehabilitate: rolling stock; track; line equipment and structures; signals and communications; power equipment and substations; passenger stations and terminals; security equipment and systems; maintenance facilities and equipment; and operational support equipment, including computer hardware and software.

Projects are limited to replacement and rehabilitation or capital projects required to maintain public transportation systems in a state of good repair. They must also be included in a Transit Asset Management plan.

For example, this grant could be used to rehabilitate or expand an intermodal center shared by public transit and intercity passenger rail. Intermodal centers maximize the use of space since common areas are shared by all users; internal improvements to the building could help smooth passenger flow and transfers between modes. Bus bays and bus lanes around the facility might be realigned to allow for better circulation and reduced traffic congestion. A refurbished intermodal center might also include commercial space or the center could act as an anchor for new mixed-use development.

Under the predecessor 2011 State of Good Repair Bus and Bus Facilities Program, the Chelan/Douglas Public Transportation Benefit Area won $140,000 for repairs to the HVAC system and the roof of Columbia Station in Wenatchee, Wash. The building serves local LINK bus routes and is also used by Amtrak passengers who wait there before crossing the street to reach the train platforms.

Financing:

Financing is generally 80 percent federal with a 20 percent local match. 97.15 percent of appropriated funds are apportioned among urbanized areas with fixed-guideway systems, and 2.85 percent is apportioned among urbanized areas with high-intensity motorbus systems. Fifty percent of the high intensity fixed guideway funds are allocated based on the revenue miles and route miles reported to the National Transit Database (NTD). The other fifty percent of the apportionment is determined by using the current fixed guideway definition in the calculation of what the urbanized areas would have received in FY 2011. The high intensity motorbus funds are allocated based on the revenue miles and route miles reported to the NTD.

Funding:

$2.5 billion (FY 2016)
$2.5 billion (FY 2017)
$2.6 billion (FY 2018)
$2.6 billion (FY 2019)
$2.7 billion (FY 2020)

More Information:

Federal Transit Administration – State of Good Repair Grants