The Public Transportation Division requests applications for the following programs:

• Planning Assistance (49 U.S.C. 5304)
• Rural Transit Assistance Program (49 U.S.C 5311(b)(3))
• Rural Discretionary (49 U.S.C. 5311)
• Intercity Bus (49 U.S.C. 5311(f))
• Urban and Rural Fleet Replacement Flexed Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (49 U.S.C. § 5307 and § 5311)

The applications become available in eGrants on Nov. 15, 2019. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. CST on Feb. 14, 2020. Below are links to instructions and related information. The Public Transportation Division will offer webinars covering the application and will post responses to written questions concerning this call on the TxDOT website. See the instructions document for more information on opportunities to ask questions.

eGrants Questions? Email us.

Title
Coordinated Call Instructions
Multiyear Budget Workbook
Projects Overview Webinar and Presentation
Planning and RTAP Webinar and Presentation
Rural Discretionary and Intercity Bus Webinar and Presentation
Fleet Replacement Webinar and Presentation
Questions and Answers
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances

The Regionally Coordinated Public Transportation Planning 5 Year Plan Update Application titled “5 Year Plan 2020” became available in eGrants on January 3, 2020. The purpose of this call for projects is to assist planning regions in Texas in developing, adopting and implementing a five-year public transit-human services transportation plan. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM CDT on March 27, 2020. Below are links to instructions and related information. The Public Transportation Division will offer a webinar covering the application and will post responses to written questions concerning this call on the TxDOT website. The deadline for submitting questions is 5:00 PM CST February 21, 2020. PTN will also host a webinar on how to complete the 5 Year Plan. See the instructions document for more information on opportunities to ask questions.

Questions? Email us.

Title
Regionally Coordinated Public Transportation Planning Application Instructions
Budget Workbook
Project Cost Workbook
Application Instructions Webinar and Presentation
Completing the 5-year Plan Webinar and Presentation
Questions and Answers
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances

The Public Transportation Division made the Section 5311 opportunity available in eGrants on Feb. 7, 2020, for projects relating to FTA's Rural Areas (49 U.S.C. 5311). Below are the links to date associated with this year's application and related information.

Questions? Contact a local Public Transportation Coordinator for information.

Title
FY 2020 Section 5311 Application Instructions
2/13/20 Webinar - How to Join
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances
NOTE: No FY 2020 Certifications and Assurances available

The Public Transportation Division (PTN) made the FY 2021 State Rural - State Urban opportunity available in eGrants on June 12, 2020, for projects relating to FTA's Rural and Urban Areas. Below are the links to this year's application instructions and related information.

Title
FY 2021 State Application Instructions
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances

Questions? Contact a local Public Transportation Coordinator for information.

The Public Transportation Division (PTN) made the FY 2020 State Rural - State Urban opportunity available in eGrants on June 7, 2019 for projects relating to FTA's rural and urban areas. Below are the links to date regarding this year's application and related information.

Questions? Contact a local public transportation coordinator.

Title	Format
FY 2020 State Application Instructions
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances

The Public Transportation Division requests applications for projects relating to FTA's Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (49 U.S.C. 5310). Below are the links to the current application and related information. Applications must be submitted via the Public Transportation Divisions eGrants system. For access to the eGrants system, contact the help desk. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. CST on March 13, 2019. Below are links to instructions and related information. The Public Transportation Division will offer webinars covering the application and will post responses to written questions concerning this call on the TxDOT website. See the Instructions document for more information on opportunities to ask questions. This application opportunity is for a two-year award, FY 2020-2021.

Questions? Contact a local public transportation coordinator.

Title	Format
Application Instructions
Application Overview Webinar
Application Webinar Presentation
Statewide Public Listening Section Notes
Multiyear Budget Worksheet
Grantwriting Basics
Allocation Amounts by TxDOT District
Master Grant Agreement (Sample)
FTA Certifications and Assurances

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 annually through our districts.

Transit Roadeo Program

The Transit Roadeo Program provides financial assistance to rural transit agencies conducting roadeos.

All urban areas in Texas have intercity bus service (ICB), and many points are served in more remote areas. There are approximately 271 stops in Texas.

Eligible Transit Providers

Intercity service is provided for the general public and connects urban areas through fixed routes. Greyhound and Trailways are the most commonly known companies that provide this service.

Funding

The Rural program (49 USC, Section 5311) has 15 percent of its budget allocated to fund ICB, which is designed to strengthen the connection between rural areas and the larger regional or national intercity bus system. ICB also supports the system's infrastructure through planning, marketing assistance and capital investment in facilities and vehicles.

ICB has previously funded projects such as the construction and rehabilitation of intermodal terminals and the upgrade of facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Public Transportation grants program (49 USC, Section 5310) provides funding to improve accessibility and mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities.  Local stakeholder forums or committees plan and design the transportation services.

Eligible Providers

Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and local public entities serving rural (under 50,000 population) and small urban (population of less than 200,000) areas. Private taxi companies that provide shared-ride taxi service to the public or to special categories of users (such as seniors or individuals with disabilities) on a regular basis are also eligible recipients.

Funding

The funds are awarded directly to the provider and may be used for eligible capital and operating expenses. These include, but are not limited to:

• Buses
• Vans and other paratransit vehicles
• Acquisition of transportation services under a contract, lease or other arrangement
• Mobility management
• Travel training
• Curb cuts
• Sidewalks
• Pedestrian signals or other accessible features
• Costs that are directly tied to transit operations

Based on funding availability, federal funds may be used to defray up to 80 percent of the cost of eligible capital expenses and 50 percent of eligible operating expenses. Fund allocations are calculated using the latest county Census figures for the elderly and disabled population.

Related Links

• Section 5310 Program Information (under revision)

The Planning and Research grants programs (49 USC, Sections 5303 and 5304) provide funds to metropolitan planning organizations for transit or highway planning and awards TxDOT monies for statewide transit planning and research.

Funding

Federal funds may be used to defray up to 80 percent of the cost of eligible expenditures. The local share is 20 percent for both Section 5303 and Section 5304.

Section 5303 funds are administered in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration 112 planning funds through our Transportation Planning and Programming Division. The Public Transportation Division monitors transit activities and submits required reports to the Federal Transit Administration.

The Small Urban Public Transportation federal grants program (49 USC, Section 5307) enhances mobility in urbanized areas. There are 30 urban operators providing transportation in areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000.

Eligible Transit Providers

Transit providers serving populations between 50,000 and 200,000 are eligible. McAllen and Arlington, both with populations over 200,000, are included because they are eligible for state funds.

Funding

Urban transit systems receive funding from a variety of sources, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 and 5309 grants, state grants, transit fares and local revenues such as advertising, contracts and city general revenue funds.

Federal and state funds are available for capital, planning and operating costs. Capital funds can be spent on buses and bus facilities, fixed guide-way system projects, technology introductions and innovative techniques and methods. Planning funds are available for engineering design, evaluation of public transportation projects and other technical studies. Allowable operating expenses are limited to direct labor, materials and overhead expenses incurred by the transit operator.

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.

Funds are distributed by the FTA using a formula based on population and population density. In areas with populations over 200,000, grants are awarded directly to the local recipient. Grants for urban areas with populations under 200,000 may be made to the governor or to local recipients designated by the governor. Currently, cities apply directly to FTA.