Skip to main content

US DOT announces funding opportunity to improve bus service nationwide

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the opportunity to apply for approximately US$266 million in competitive grant funding for bus programs nationwide. The funding consists of US$211 million in grants for buses and bus facilities projects, as well as US$55 million specifically for FTA’s Low and No Emission (Low-No) bus program, which promotes technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly buses. These investments will help advance the President’
March 31, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The 324 US Department of Transportation’s 2023 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the opportunity to apply for approximately US$266 million in competitive grant funding for bus programs nationwide.

The funding consists of US$211 million in grants for buses and bus facilities projects, as well as US$55 million specifically for FTA’s Low and No Emission (Low-No) bus program, which promotes technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly buses. These investments will help advance the President’s vision for a cleaner, 21st century transportation system that reduces carbon emissions while expanding transportation options for families.
 
Eligible projects include those that replace, rehabilitate, lease, and purchase buses and related equipment as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, construct or lease bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance.  

FTA will award the grants to eligible transit agencies, state transportation departments, and Indian tribes on a competitive basis. Projects will be evaluated by criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, including the need for investment in bus transit systems, benefits to the community (including economic and workforce development), implementation of low and no-emission technologies, and integration with local and regional long-term planning.

“Transit buses are a lifeline to opportunity for countless Americans, but too often these buses are outdated and unreliable,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “As demand for transit grows and our nation’s population continues to expand, these much-needed funds will help bring communities the latest technologies to strengthen and improve their bus infrastructure.”

“Our state and local partners across the country will benefit from the increased funding and flexibility available through this program,” said FTA acting administrator Therese McMillan. “With a large and growing maintenance backlog throughout the public transportation industry, it is vital for local agencies to have additional resources to address their community’s needs.”
UTC

Related Content

  • July 17, 2012
    US economic stimulus package highlights ITS technology
    US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood talks to ITS International about economic stimulus funding and the absolute need to maintain and increase the use of technology in transportation. Of the total of $787 billion of funding announced under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the economic stimulus package which was signed into law by US President Barack Obama on 17 February 2009, $48.1 billion will go to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). Of that, $27.5 billion is for highway in
  • July 2, 2014
    USDOT outlines steps for managing Highway Trust Fund shortfall
    US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx has written to state transportation departments and transit agencies outlining steps the Department of Transportation (DOT) will soon be forced to take to manage the impending insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund. In both letters, Secretary Foxx outlined the Department’s proposed plan while emphasising the need for Congress to act in order to avoid such a shortfall. “There is still time for Congress to act on a long term solution,” said Secretary Foxx. “Our tr
  • December 7, 2016
    Transportation research funding awarded to US universities
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced US$300.3 million in grants to 32 university Transportation Centers (UTCs) to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing the country. The announcement includes awards of up to US$72.5 million for fiscal year (FY) 2016. Subsequent awards using federal fiscal years 2017-2020 funding will be made annually, subject to availability of funds and grantee compliance with grant terms and conditions. “Our n
  • April 17, 2015
    Federal Railroad Administration invests in rail safety
    The US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded eight grants totalling more than US$21.2 million to invest in highway-rail grade crossing safety, positive train control (PTC) implementation and passenger rail. The eight grants were awarded in states across the country and feature a wide array of projects, including: Grade crossing safety and passenger rail planning grants to California department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation; Transportation Technology Center PTC