Press releases

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

GAO's Work Led to $67.5 Billion in Financial Benefits on Behalf of Congress and the American People

WASHINGTON (November 15, 2024) – The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its fiscal year 2024 Performance and Accountability Report. This past FY, our work yielded $67.5 billion in financial benefits for Congress and the…

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

FTA Announces Approximately $5.1 Million to the University of Cincinnati for the Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management System Program

FTA today announced approximately $5.1 million to the University of Cincinnati to promote the adoption of digital platforms that speed up and improve the delivery of transit construction projects while reducing costs. The Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program , created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program aims to apply digital systems throughout the transportation infrastructure lifecycle (including through the planning, design and engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance phases) that: maximize interoperability with other systems, products, tools, or applications; boost productivity; manage complexity; reduce project delays and cost overruns; enhance safety and quality; and reduce total costs for the entire lifecycle of transportation infrastructure assets. The University of Cincinnati will work with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transportation Authority, Butler County Regional Transit Authority, and Akron Metro to develop a demonstration project and document best practices from applying the selected systems in transit projects. Links : Press Release Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program

GAO Makes 2024 PTAC Appointments

WASHINGTON, DC (October 24, 2024) – Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the appointment of two new members to the Physician-Focused Payment Model…

Register Now for The Making Connections 2024 Conference

Are you a transit agency looking to solve critical issues around workforce development? Would resources and tools aimed at frontline workforce improve your agency operations? FTA's Transit Workforce Center (TWC) will host the Making Connections 2024 – The National Transit Workforce Conference (MC-24) in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 11-13, with a keynote address by FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. MC-24 provides an opportunity for participants to explore new ideas and cutting-edge practices to support and shape transit workforce development today and in the future. FTA's National Transit Institute is a co-sponsor of this conference. MC-24 will bring together representatives from transit agencies, unions, government, education, community, and workforce development organizations from across the country to share successful strategies for recruitment and retention, workforce training, apprenticeships, applying new technologies, and advancing diversity, equity, and access. The conference agenda includes interactive sessions built around industry needs and aligned with FTA's National Transit Workforce Development Strategic Plan goals for recruiting and retaining the workforce of the future. On Monday November 11, there will be pre-conference intensive workshops based on TWC’s most in-demand technical assistance topics. Register for the Making Connections 2024 Conference, located at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel, 401 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Links : FTA National Transit Workforce Development Strategic Plan Transit Workforce Center National Transit Institute Making Connections 2022 Recap and Videos

GAO Makes Appointments to PCORI Governing Board

WASHINGTON, DC (September 23, 2024) — Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), today announced the reappointment of seven members and one new member to the Governing Board…