The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will offer $20 million in grants through the Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program.
The program assists underserved and disadvantaged communities seeking to expand or improve transit systems by supporting planning and technical studies. It also funds projects that allow transit agencies to transition to low- and no-emission vehicles and associated charging equipment.
“At a time when transportation is the second-largest household expense for most American families, it is more important than ever to ensure that everyone has access to affordable public transit,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “The new resources we are announcing today will make it easier for people in our most underserved communities to access jobs, school, healthcare, and other vital services.”
Projects must be located in an Area of Persistent Poverty or a Historically Disadvantaged Community. Interested applicants can use FTA’s mapping tool to determine if a proposed project is in one of these areas.
Projects will be selected based on the evaluation criteria, with special consideration given to projects that mitigate air, water, and ground pollution.
The application deadline is March 10. This round of grants will utilize Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 funding.
FTA has awarded more than $24.6 million since 2020.