Rural public transportation
Public Transportation grants - state and FTA
The Rural Public Transportation grants program (49 USC, Section 5311) helps people in rural areas access health care, shopping, education, employment and recreation. Currently, there are 38 operators providing public transportation in rural areas and small cities with populations under 50,000.
Eligible transit providers
Grant recipients include state agencies, local public bodies, private nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes and public transportation operators.
Private for-profit transit operators may participate in the program through contracts with eligible recipients. In order to receive funds, a company must be in a rural transit district, which is a political subdivision containing multiple counties to provide rural public transportation.
Funding
Program funds may be used for capital, planning, operating and administrative costs, with a maximum federal funding ratio for capital, planning and administrative costs of 80 percent and a maximum state/local match of 20 percent on most projects. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Clean Air projects may receive up to 90 percent federal funding. The funding ratio for net operating costs is 50 percent federal match and 50 percent state/local match.
Eligible recipients can apply for funds through the electronic grants management system (eGrants).
Transit Roadeo Program
The Transit Roadeo Program provides financial assistance to rural transit agencies conducting roadeos.