Federal Transit Formula Grants
Department Of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration
Provide federal formula funding to transit agencies, states, and local/regional governments to plan, develop, improve, maintain, and operate public transportation systems in urbanized areas (as defined by the most recent decennial census as urban areas with populations of 50,000 or more). Eligible uses include capital projects, planning, and operating assistance to support regular, continuing shared‑ride public transportation services that are open to the general public or defined segments of th
Jargon-free version
Helps transit agencies and local governments improve public transportation in cities. Provides funding for new systems, maintenance, and operations.
Quick Facts
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What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Federal formula funding for transit capital investments (e.g., buses, fixed guideway, facilities, security, asset management), operating assistance (for urbanized areas under 200,000), and transportation-related planning in urbanized areas. Federal share may cover up to 80% for capital/planning and 50% for operating assistance. Total program apportionment for FY 2025 was over $7.3 billion.
Who Is Eligible?
Industries: public transportation
Region: United States
Other Criteria: public, governmental entities involved in providing public transportation, serving an urbanized area designated by U.S. Census Bureau, urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more, for large urbanized areas (population 200,000+): designated recipient (government agency chosen by Governor), for small urbanized areas (population 50,000-199,999): Governor or Governor’s designee, other public agencies may become Direct Recipients with state/designated recipient approval, private nonprofit operators eligible only as subrecipients through a public entity
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📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
- 📝Steps to Apply
- Identify eligible activities and recipients
- Prepare necessary documentation
- Submit application through TrAMS
- Await approval and funding allocation
- 🌐Application Portal
- https://trams.transit.dot.gov/
- 📤Submission Method
- online
- 📅Key Dates
- March 31, 2026Funding availability announcement
- 🔄Intake Type
- fixed-deadline
📄What Documents Are Required?
- ✅Required Documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information - Non-Construction)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative
- Budget Narrative
- Indirect cost rate agreement
- Environmental review
- 📐Format Requirements
- PDF only, max 10MB
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💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
- 🧾Eligible Expenses
- Planning, engineering, design and evaluation of transit projects
- Capital investments in bus and bus-related activities
- Capital investments in new and existing fixed guideway systems
- Preventive maintenance
- Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs
- Operating assistance for urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000
- 🚫Ineligible Expenses
- Operating assistance for urbanized areas with populations of 200,000 or more unless specified by FTA
- 📏Expense Caps
- Federal share may not exceed 80 percent for planning and capital expenses and 50 percent for operating assistance.
- 💳Payment Model
- reimbursement
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
- 🔀Matching Required
- Yes
- 📊Matching Ratio
- 20% minimum
- 🏦Eligible Matching Sources
- cash
- in-kind contributions
- 📚Stacking Rules
- Yes, federal funds from other agencies may be used as match
- 🛡️Proof of Matching Required
- Documentation to prove matching funds is required but specifics are not detailed.
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
- 🗓️Reporting Frequency
- annual
- 📑Reporting Requirements
- SF-425 Federal Financial Report
- performance progress report
- 🔍Audit Requirements
- OMB Uniform Guidance Single Audit if the recipient expends $750,000 or more in federal awards
- 📢Branding Requirements
- Acknowledgment of federal funding is required
- 🗄️Record Retention Period
- 3 years post-final-report
How Do I Apply?
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.
Contact the program administrator for funding details.
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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