FTA: Grants available for transit projects in underserved areas

The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $16.3 million in competitive grant funding for projects that help lift communities out of poverty by supporting transit service improvements in underserved communities, according to a news release.

FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Program supports planning, engineering and technical studies or financial planning to improve transit services in any areas experiencing long-term economic distress, in rural and urban communities alike. It can also fund the planning or studies of low and no emissions transit vehicles and associated infrastructure.  

Projects will be selected, in part, on their ability to increase racial equity, in keeping with the President’s Executive Order 13985, "Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government."

Chosen projects should also focus on lessening environmental damage to communities that have historically faced greater impacts from air, water and ground pollution. Many of the eligible communities are in rural areas, which experience challenges in providing public transportation, ensuring safety and keeping transit assets in a state of good repair, the release said.

Applications must be submitted by Aug. 30.