U.S. DOT announces $25 million in funding for transit agencies

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Tuesday it would make $25 million in funding available to help public transportation agencies return to service.

Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Route Planning Restoration Program funds can be used for planning route restoration with an eye toward post-COVID-19 pandemic ridership examinations, travel time reductions and adjustments to the quality and/or frequency of service for low-income or disadvantaged riders who may need increased service to get to jobs, shopping and health care.

“The Route Restoration Program will help transit agencies develop strategies and identify opportunities to remove barriers and increase equity in underserved communities,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “The drastic changes that transit agencies have seen also will provide an opportunity for them to reimagine their systems and routes, to ensure that everyone has access to transportation.”

Eligible agencies include any urbanized area formula grant (Section 5307) recipient that reduced transit service on or after Jan. 20, 2020, due to COVID-19.

The maximum award for the grant is up to $1 million and a local match is not required. Projects will be selected based on the agency’s effort to reassess and plan for service that connects riders in underserved communities, while cutting down emissions to those communities. Additionally, the projects will be judged on their impact on the climate, and their efforts to increase racial equity and advance environmental justice.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m., Nov. 15, 2021.