The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently awarded 22 American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native communities $9.9 million in Tribal Transit Program grants to improve public transit systems.
The program allows tribes to buy transit vehicles, upgrade bus facilities, and expand transit options. FTA received 41 eligible project proposals requesting nearly $20 million.
“These funds will directly support 22 Tribal Nations across 12 states creating safe, clean, and accessible options for getting residents where they need to go,” Arlando Teller, assistant secretary for tribal affairs, said. “FTA’s Tribal Transit Program assists communities in addressing their unique transportation issues — taking to heart community involvement to ultimately support sustainable transportation solutions.”
Awardees include:
The Native Village of Unalakleet in Alaska received $1.4 million to buy equipment to maintain transit corridors so residential areas can be served safely year-round.
The Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota received $1.1 million to build a transportation maintenance facility at Oyate Place.
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin received $540,000 to buy six transit vans.
The Karuk Tribe in California received nearly $324,000 to start a new transit service.
Annually, Tribal Transit systems provide more than 13 million vehicle miles of service, according to the National Transit Database.