FTA: Nearly $5B now available in transit formula funding

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced that fiscal-year 2022 transit formula funding of $4.7 billion is available to transit agencies, states and tribal governments.

The funds were made available under the Further Extending Government Funding Act, which provides partial-year spending authority through Feb. 18. The $4.7 billion also includes advance appropriations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for FY2022 allocated for State of Good Repair and Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities programs.

"From counties with just one van providing rides, to systems operating hundreds of trains, buses and ferries in the largest cities in America, our communities depend on this funding,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez in a press release. "This first down payment will help agencies start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and bring more fast, safe, convenient service."

The FTA will distribute formula funds to eligible groups that include funding for both urban and rural transit systems. Full-year funding will be made available once Congress passes the FY2022 appropriations bill. After that, 35% more funding will be available to transit agencies than in previous years, FTA officials said.

Apportionment tables that explain the breakdown of funding based on statutory formulas can be found here.