Federal Transit Administration press releases

FTA Announces 26 Tribes and Alaska Native Villages Will Receive $9.6 Million in Transit Grants from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Today, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced $9.6 million in grants to support and improve transit for 26 American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native communities. The grants, awarded through FTA’s competitive Tribal Transit program, will help improve transit service for tribes that operate or plan to operate transit service in order to get their riders to jobs, school, and other opportunities. FTA's Tribal Transit Program supports public transportation provided by federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native villages, including rides for older adults and people with disabilities. Links : News Release Project Selections Tribal Transit Program

FTA Announces $22.2 Million Capital Grant to Monterey-Salinas Transit to Support Bus Rapid Transit

FTA today announced a $22.2 million Small Starts Construction Grant with Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) to support the new SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The construction grant will enable MST to build a six-mile dedicated busway as part of a 20-mile planned BRT route that will connect Monterey to Salinas. SURF!’s dedicated busway will run along a path replacing railroad rails, parallel to California Highway 1. SURF! riders will avoid sections of heavy traffic along Highway 1, saving riders up to 15 minutes of travel time. In addition to the dedicated busway, the BRT project will include new stops serving Marina, Sand City, and Seaside, including a new multimodal mobility hub in the former Fort Ord redevelopment area, bicycle and pedestrian access improvements, and transit signal priority along part of the route. The total project is estimated to cost $100.5 million. Federal support for the project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program , which helps communities implement transformational transit projects. Links : Press Release Capital Investments Grant (CIG) Program

FTA Announces Close to $150 Million in Funding to Support New Bus Rapid Transit Line in Indianapolis

FTA today announced a grant award of $149.9 million to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) to help fund construction of the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Central Indiana. The 24-mile BRT line will provide fast and frequent public transportation along one of Marion County, Indiana's main east-west travel corridors. The corridor serves over 28 million visitors for conventions, meetings, and events and supports approximately 150,000 jobs. The project includes 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in the urban core, helping speed riders on their way. The corridor encompasses some of the region’s largest trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, the airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Blue Line will also stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas. The project includes 60-foot hybrid buses, helping improve air quality. With more than 45,000 people within walking distance of a station in the corridor, service will operate 20 hours per weekday, with frequent service. The federal support for the estimated $396 million project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program , which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects. Links : Press release Capital Investment Grants program

Register for Capital Investment Grants Policy Guidance webinars (Jan. 14-15)

FTA's Office of Planning and Environment will host a two-part overview of the recently published Capital Investment Grants Program Policy Guidance . Join us on January 14 and 15, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET for two different Zoom webinars. Separate registrations are required for each. Time will be allowed at the end of each webinar for interactive questions and answers. The webinars will also be recorded and posted on the FTA website for later viewing by anyone unable to attend. January 14, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. Register January 15, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. Register Links : Capital Investment Grants Program Policy Guidance January 14 Webinar Registration January 15 Webinar Registration

Register for Capital Investment Grants Policy Guidance webinars (Jan. 14-15)

FTA's Office of Planning and Environment will host a two-part overview of the recently published Capital Investment Grants Program Policy Guidance . Join us on January 14 and 15, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET for two different Zoom webinars. Separate registrations are required for each. Time will be allowed at the end of each webinar for interactive questions and answers. The webinars will also be recorded and posted on the FTA website for later viewing by anyone unable to attend. January 14, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. Register January 15, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. Register Links : Capital Investment Grants Program Policy Guidance January 14 Webinar Registration January 15 Webinar Registration

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Capital Grant to Support Bus Rapid Transit in Salt Lake County, UT

FTA today announced a $62.8 million grant award to the Utah Transit Authority to support a new bus rapid transit (BRT) route to provide fast, frequent public transportation in Salt Lake County, Utah. The Midvalley Express will improve accessibility, frequency, and connections as well as encourage economic development. The grant, funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support a seven-mile, 15-station all-electric BRT line that will connect to UTA commuter rail and light rail. The new BRT service will include 1.4 miles of bus-only lanes and priority at traffic signals. The Midvalley Express will run through several high and mid-density housing areas and connect to jobs, retail, and healthcare destinations. It will also stop at Salt Lake Community College, home to tens of thousands of students. The BRT line will prepare the Salt Lake City region for the 2034 Olympic Games by providing a connection between Frontrunner commuter rail and the Maverik Center, a planned venue for the games. Links : News Release Capital Investment Grants Program

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $267.8 Million Capital Grant to Support Bus Rapid Transit in San Antonio, TX

FTA today announced a $267.8 million construction grant award in the city of San Antonio, Texas, which will support the construction of the new VIA Advanced Rapid Transit North/South Corridor, also known as the Green Line. The grant will support a 10-mile bus rapid transit line that will provide fast and frequent service linking people in neighborhoods along the line to regional activity centers and San Antonio International Airport. The Rapid Green Line will improve the transit experience for riders along one of the city's most heavily traveled corridors. The project will alleviate congestion, improve air quality, and support the region's growth - an additional 1 million residents expected by 2040 and, in the corridor alone a population increase of 42 percent. It will help residents get to jobs and essential destinations, including schools, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and recreational areas, as well as provide a convenient way for visitors to access tourist destinations, such as the Riverwalk and the Alamo. The line will include nearly eight miles of dedicated bus lanes in vehicles powered by low-emission compressed natural gas. Links : News Release Capital Investment Grants Program

FTA Publishes 2024 CIG Policy Guidance Update

FTA today published updated policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program . This guidance, which replaces the CIG Policy Guidance last updated in January 2023, incorporates feedback received from a July 2021 Request for Information as well as public comments received on the April 2024 Proposed Policy Guidance . The changes include: Updating the criteria and measures used for CIG evaluation and rating; Incorporating priorities for resilience and affordable housing; and Implementing a new “bundling” provision for project sponsors pursuing multiple CIG projects at the same time. Learn more at the CIG Regulations and Guidance webpage . Links : CIG Policy Guidance Federal Register Notice Capital Investment Grants Federal Register: RFI Concerning the Capital Investment Grants Program, July 2021

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Notice of Interim Guidance and Upcoming Webinars

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently published a Notice of Availability of Interim Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Guidance in the Federal Register . The 2024 CMAQ Interim Guidance , developed in coordination with FTA, provides information and guidance on eligibility, transfer, transit operating assistance, and other CMAQ Program requirements under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and replaces the November 12, 2013, Interim CMAQ Program Guidance and the July 2014 Revised Interim Guidance on CMAQ Operating Assistance. The Interim Guidance is effective as of November 6, 2024. FHWA is taking public comments for consideration in developing final guidance. Comments are due by January 6, 2025. FHWA is hosting two webinars on November 13, 2024, and November 20, 2024, to provide an overview of the 2024 CMAQ Interim Guidance with Division Offices and interested stakeholders. Presentations and recordings of the webinars will be available on the CMAQ Program Website . Links : Federal Register Notice 2024 CMAQ Interim Guidance Webinar registration link CMAQ Program Website

National Apprenticeship Week is November 17-23

FTA and transit workforce partners will join the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to promote DOL’s “National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation.” FTA invites transit agencies and FTA workforce technical assistance partners to showcase the successes and value of registered apprenticeships. Transit apprenticeship programs are designed to leverage experienced mentors and on-the-job training to develop transit worker skills. Apprenticeships are especially valuable for frontline worker roles such as bus and rail technicians. The number of registered transit apprenticeship programs has increased from five in 2013 to 32 transit agencies hosting these programs in 2024 according to the Transit Workforce Center , FTA's technical assistance partner for workforce development. The TWC offers a map of registered apprenticeships . Registered apprenticeships strengthen the economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into good jobs, supporting knowledge transfer, and advancing racial and gender equity. To help organizations promote apprenticeship opportunities, DOL offers online resources for the event including tips for participating in National Apprenticeship Week, daily themes and messaging focusing on apprenticeships for youth, underserved populations, and other community segments. Links : National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Celebrating 10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation Transit Workforce Center Map – Apprenticeship and Mentorship Programs - Transit Workforce Center

Funding Available through FHWA’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced up to $876 million available through the Competitive Grant Program. The Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides support to help make surface transportation systems, including highways, public transportation, pedestrian facilities, ports, and intercity passenger rail, more resilient to climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural hazards. The competitive grant funding is available for states, metropolitan planning organizations and local governments, transit agencies, and Tribes through two application periods, with up to $576 million for FYs 2024 and 2025, and up to $300 million for FY 2026. All FY 2024-2025 applications must be submitted through grants.gov by Monday, February 24, 2025. Learn more and register for webinars on how to apply, at FHWA's PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program page . Links : PROTECT Program Notice of Funding Opportunity FHWA PROTECT Website Grants.gov

FTA Announces Approximately $10.5 Million in Project Selections to Help Communities Plan for Transit-Oriented Development

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced approximately $10.5 million in project selections going to 11 communities in 10 states to support equitable transit-oriented development. The funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help boost local economies, address impacts from climate change, and provide more transportation options through development near new or expanded transit project corridors. These grants, funded by FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning , support local strategies to increase transit access and encourage ridership through mixed-use and mixed-income development near public transportation projects. The program helps communities plan for opportunities around transit stations, such as affordable housing, economic development, and better connections to schools, hospitals, stores, and restaurants. Links : Press Release FY24 Project Selections Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Transit-Oriented Development