HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 6/15/2021 - Memorandum From Drew Books Re: Update - Transfort Federal Grant Appropriations
Transfort / Dial-A-Ride
6570 Portner Road
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6620
970.221.6285 - fax
fcgov.com
Memorandum
DATE: June 9th, 2021
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director Planning, Development & Transportation
Dean Klingner, Deputy Director Planning, Development & Transportation
FROM: Drew Brooks, Director Transfort & Parking Services
SUBJECT: Update Transfort Federal Grant Appropriations
Introduction
At the June 1st, 2021 City Council Meeting there were requests, from a resident and
Councilperson, for additional information regarding the proposed ordinance on the
consent agenda, for the appropriation of two Federal grants. This memo will provide
further clarification regarding the intent of these Federal apportionments and the
process for informing Council of the projects which will be funded.
Bottom Line
The mechanism for these appropriations is through the Federal Transit
Administrations (FTA) standard grant programs.
The funds are restricted to uses that directly support public transit systems.
Within that restriction, the funds are eligible for a wide range of transit uses
including operations and maintenance, transit capital projects, etc.
A portion of these fund
agencies.
The funds must be appropriated at this time to meet the FTA mandate to have
funds programmed in the federal grant by the end of the Federal Fiscal Year
(Sept 30th, 2021).
Staff will provide recommendations for project programming at an upcoming
Council Finance meeting.
Background
As previously outlined in the attached AIS for Ordinance No. 073, 2021, through the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Transfort has been awarded two transit-specific
Federal grants via the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act and Coronavirus Response
and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). These funds are provided at a
100-percent federal share and no local match funds are required.
The following is a summary of the funding using CRRSAA and ARP funds:
Funds Provided by FTA
FY21 CRRSAA 5307 Funds $1,477,651.00
FY21 CRRSAA 5310 Funds $31,597.00
FY21 ARP 5307 Funds $8,933,175.00
FY21 ARP 5310 Funds $31,598.00
Total Funding Provided $10,474,021.00
Less local dollars pass through to North Front Range
Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO)
$(1,377,623.00)
Less local dollars pass through to Berthoud Area Transit
System (BATS)
$(185,111.00)
Net City of Fort Collins Financial Impact $8,911,287.00
As noted in the table above, the City must distribute funds from these grants to other
agencies within the Transportation Management Area (TMA). As the designated, or
primary, recipient for the geographical TMA, Transfort is responsible for allocating
dedicated funds to smaller transit agencies and metropolitan planning organizations in
the TMA.
The intent of these funds, as described by FTA is to
American workers, help communities that are struggling in the wake of COVID-19, and
Due to the wide variation in size,
services, and operation of transit agencies, Covid-19 affected different agencies in
dramatically different ways. Because of this, the intent of these two Federal acts is to
provide financial relief for those agencies most negatively impacted, and to provide
funding for projects and activities that will keep transit systems moving forward and aid
The Department of Transportation has this new funding to the existing 5307 and
5310 FTA grants programs. These two programs are the mechanism by which Federal
formula funding is apportioned annually to transit systems nationwide, including
Transfort. These apportionments are determined using census and transit system data.
Each program has specifically outlined purposes and eligible projects. For example,
eligible activities for the 5307 program are as follows:
5307: Eligible activities include planning, engineering, design and evaluation of
transit projects and other technical transportation-related studies; capital
investments in bus and bus-related activities such as replacement of buses,
overhaul of buses, rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and security equipment
and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital
investments in new and existing fixed guideway systems including rolling stock,
overhaul and rebuilding of vehicles, track, signals, communications, and
computer hardware and software. All preventive maintenance and some
Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are
considered capital costs. For urbanized areas with populations less than
200,000, operating assistance is an eligible expense.
attached for reference. Staff are
currently working on programing each of these grants with eligible activities. Once a
program of projects for these funds has been vetted internally, staff will bring a
proposed budget to the Council Finance meeting on July 7th, 2021 for Council input
before programming the grants in the FTA system. Staff will also present these projects
to the Transportation Board on July 21st.
The FTA has mandated these funds must be appropriated, and the program of projects
entered in the Federal grant management system, by the end of the Federal fiscal year,
September 30th, 2021. It is critical that the appropriation is performed quickly so that
apportionments can be made to the other TMA agencies and that staff have ample time
to gain approval from FTA and program these grants in the Federal accounting and
grant management system.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Staff will present a program of projects to the Council Finance Committee on July 7th,
2021 for input before programming these grants in the FTA system. Due to the FTA
deadline of September 30th, 2021 for grant entry and approval, staff recommends
adoption of the Ordinance at the June 15 th, 2021 City Council meeting.
Agenda Item 3
Item # 3 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY June 1, 2021
City Council
STAFF
Drew Brooks, Director of Transit
Claire Havelda, Legal
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 073, 2021, Making Supplemental Appropriations of American Rescue Plan
(ARP) Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Funding.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to appropriate grant revenue allocated to Transfort by the Federal Transit Agency
(FTA). Transfort was awarded $1,509,248 and will net the amount of $1,284,514 in Section 5307 and 5310
CRRSAA Funding. Additionally, Transfort was awarded $8,964,773 and will net the amount of $7,626,773 in
ARP Section 5307 and 5310 Funding through FTA apportionments to urbanized areas. Both CRRSAA and
ARP funding is provided at a 100-percent federal share, with no local match required, and is available to
support capital, operating, and other expenses to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. Transfort plans to use
these funds to pay for what has been previously allocated from the General Fund for operating assistance,
preventative maintenance, capital projects, contracted service costs, and enhancing mobility for seniors and
those with disabilities.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CRRSAA into law. The CRRSAA provided emergency
appropriations to support Executive Branch agency operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTA
allocated $14 billion to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula funds, with $13.27 billion allocated
to large and small urban areas.
CRRSAA funding was disbursed through FTA apportionments to its Urbanized Area (Section 5307 and 5310)
Formula
is $31,597. Because Transfort is the designated, or primary, recipient for the geographical Transportation
Management Area (TMA), Transfort is responsible for allocating dedicated funds to smaller transit agencies
and metropolitan planning organizations in the TMA. After Transfort distributes the appropriate allocations to
Berthoud Area Transportation System (BATS) in the amount of $26,063 in 5307 funds and $557 in 5310 funds,
and the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) in the amount of $193,966 Section
5307 funds and $4,148 in 5310 funds, Transfort will receive $1,257,622 in 5307 funds and $26,892 in 5310
funds.
On March 22, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) into law. The ARP
to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agenda Item 3
Item # 3 Page 2
ARP funding was disbursed through FTA apportionments to its Urbanized Area (Section 5307 and 5310)
is $31,598. After Transfort distributes the appropriate allocations to BATS in the amount of $157,934 in 5307
funds and $557 in 5310 funds, and the NFRMPO in the amount of $1,175,361 Section 5307 funds and $4,148
in 5310 funds, Transfort will receive $7,599,880 in 5307 funds and $26,893 in 5310 funds.
Through existing FTA-
relieves BAT and NFRMPO from federal compliance responsibilities.
Operating expenses incurred beginning on January 20, 2020 for all rural and urban recipients are eligible,
including operating expenses to maintain transit services as well as paying for administrative leave for transit
personnel due to reduced operations during an emergency.
Transfort seeks to repay portions of its prior 2021 budget allocation with these FTA funds, less a portion
reserved to provide local match for upcoming grants. These FTA funds will repay previously appropriated
Transfort costs as described below.
1. Transfort will use the Section 5307 funds to continue provision of fixed route service. The Fort Collins area
has seen significant impacts from COVID-19 and has taken measures to ensure social distancing and
mask compliance when providing public transportation. Additionally, CRRSAA and ARP Section 5307
funds will be used for preventative maintenance activities and capital projects for rolling stock, facilities,
and IT equipment. Regular, scheduled, preventative maintenance will continue to allow Transfort to realize
the benefits of a safe, reliable, and well-maintained fleet in support of its services.
2.
paratransit service, Dial A Ride, which is provided by a contractor, satisfying ADA requirements of
providing paratransit services for eligible clients. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Transfort
temporarily reduced service effective April 18, 2020. To ensure that citizens can still access essential
services, Transfort began offering a taxi service option, performed by a contractor, allowing riders to
schedule a trip from a bus stop along a suspended route, to or from another linked bus stop or transit
center. CARES funds will also be used to provide this contracted Demand Response Service.
3. Section 5310 CRRSAA and ARP funds will be used for programs that improve mobility for seniors and
individuals with disabilities, including the Dial A Taxi program that provides additional, more flexible service
for Dial A Ride passenger. Section 5310 funding can also be used towards capital projects that will
improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
During the 2021 budget, sufficient appropriations were provided to cover Transfort operating costs, which
can now be partially re-funded with ARP and CRRSAA funds. Transfort is requesting an appropriation of
$1.2M of these funds to be used as a source of local funds grant matches for additional opportunities that
may arise throughout the fiscal year. Transfort frequently applies for discretionary, or competitive, grants
throughout the year that require a committed local match and has received feedback from the FTA that
some discretionary grant applications are not considered as competitive as other applications due to the
appropriation process post award. Article V, Section 10 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council,
upon recommendation of the City Manager, to transfer unexpended and unencumbered appropriated
amount or portions of one fund or capital project to another fund or capital project when appropriate. The
City Manager finds it appropriate and recommends the transfer of $1,200,000 from the Transfort operating
budget (in the Transit Services Fund) to the new established Transfort budget (also in the Transit Services
Fund) to be used specifically as local matching funds for grants that Transfort.
Transfort recognizes that public transit is an essential service and that many transit-dependent members of the
community rely on public transit to get to and from work, buy groceries and other essentials, and receive
medical care or care for loved ones. Transfort has seen a significant drop in ridership and revenue during the
COVID-19 pandemic. The CRRSAA and ARP funding received will greatly benefit the safety, quality, and
levels of service that Transfort is able to provide during this time.
Agenda Item 3
Item # 3 Page 3
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The following is a summary of the project funding using CRRSAA and ARP funds. These funds are provided at
a 100-percent federal share and no local match is required.
Funds Provided by FTA
FY21 CRRSAA 5307 Funds $ 1,477,651.00
FY21 CRRSAA 5310 Funds $ 31,597.00
FY21 ARP 5307 Funds $ 8,933,175.00
FY21 ARP 5310 Funds $ 31,598.00
Total Funding Provided $ 10,474,021.00
Less local dollars pass through to NFRMPO $ (1,377,623.00)
Less local dollars pass through to BATS $ (185,111.00)
Net City Financial Impact $ 8,911,287.00
Though total grant revenues are anticipated at $8.9M, Transfort is only requesting $1.2M of supplemental
appropriations. During the 2021 budget, sufficient appropriations were provided to cover operating costs. This
supplemental appropriation will cover the operating costs, while previously appropriated local funds will be
used as a source of grant matches for additional opportunities that may arise throughout the year.
Appropriations of these funds are necessary due to City Code Article V, Part I, Section 4.
Note that the funding provided by the FTA takes the place of General Fund and Transportation Fund monies
that would have been the basis for Transit spending during the fiscal year.
-1-
ORDINANCE NO. 073, 2021
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
MAKING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS OF AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN (ARP) ACT AND CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL
APPROPRIATIONS ACT (CRRSA) FUNDING
on Department received federal funding from the
maintenance, contracted services costs, and mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities
related to preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
funds for the geographical Transpor
for allocating dedicated funds to smaller transit agencies and metropolitan planning
the North Front Range Met
$1,509,248 in CRRSAA Section 5307 & 5310 funding;
$8,964,773 in ARP Section 5307 and 5310 funding; and
WHEREAS, through existing FTA-approved agreements with BATS and NFRMPO, the
with local funds; and
s Transfort Department is obliged to pass
along the remaining 62% of the grant funding through allocations as follows:
$1,377,623 to NFRMPO;
$185,111 to BATS; and
$1,284,514 in CRRSAA Section 5207 & 5310 funding;
$7,626,773 in ARP Section 5307 and 5310 funding; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that its Transfort Department has been
competitively disadvantaged when seeking grant funding due primarily to not having funds
appropriated for local match at the time grant applications are submitted; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds it appropriate to allow $1.2M of the net $8,911,287 FTA
funding to be designated as local funds to be used as a source of Transfort grant matches for
additional opportunities that may arise throughout the fiscal year; and
-2-
WHEREAS, Council finds it appropriate to allocate the remainder of the net CRRSAA
and ARP funds to repay a portion of the funds previously budgeted and appropriated in the 2021
Transfort budget for:
continuation of fixed route services, including preventative maintenance
activities;
capital projects for rolling stock;
facilities;
IT equipment;
Contracted services costs;
programs that improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities;
WHEREAS, these appropriations benefit the public health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Fort Collins and serves the public purpose of supporting the essential transportation
services that many transit-dependent members of the community rely on to get to and from work,
buy groceries and other essentials, to receive medical care, and to care for family or friends; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council, upon
recommendation of the City Manager, to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any
time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,
in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current
estimate of actual and anticipated revenues and all other funds to be received during the fiscal
year; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the appropriation described herein and
determined that this appropriation is available and previously unappropriated from the Transit
Services Fund and will not cause the total amount appropriated in the Transit Services Fund to
exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues and all other funds to be received
in that fund during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council, upon
recommendation by the City Manager, to transfer by ordinance any unexpended and
unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof from one fund or capital project to
another fund or capital project, provided that the purpose for which the transferred funds are to
be expended remains unchanged, the purpose for which the funds were initially appropriated no
longer exists, or the proposed transfer is from a fund or capital project in which the amount
appropriated exceeds the amount needed to accomplish the purpose specified in the appropriation
ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the transfer of $1,200,000 from the
Transfort operating budget in the Transit Services Fund to a newly established Transfort budget,
also in the Transit Services Fund, to be used specifically as local match funding for grants that
Transfort will apply for in the future, and has determined that the proposed transfer is from a
budget in which the amount appropriated exceeds the amount needed to accomplish the purpose
specified in the appropriation ordinance.
-3-
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated from unanticipated grant revenue in the
Transit Services Fund the sum of TEN MILLION FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR
THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE DOLLARS ($10,474,021) for expenditure from the Transit
Services Fund for operating assistance, preventative maintenance, contracted service costs,
mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities related to preparation for and response to
the COVID-19 pandemic ($8,911,287), grant match local funding ($1,200,000) and to cover pass
through money due to NFRMPO ($1,377,623) and BATS ($185,111).
Section 3. That the unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount of ONE
MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,200,000) is hereby authorized for
transfer from the Transfort operating budget to a newly established Transfort budget to be used
specifically as local match funding for grants that Transfort will apply for in the future and
appropriated therein.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 1st day of
June, A.D. 2021, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th day of June, A.D. 2021.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th day of June, A.D. 2021.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
FACT SHEET:
ENHANCED MOBILITY OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Chapter 53 Section 5310
FY 2015/
MAP-21
FY 2016
(in millions)
FY 2017
(in millions)
FY 2018
(in millions)
FY 2019
(in millions)
FY 2020
(in millions)
5310 Formula
Grants $258.3 $262.95 $268.21 $273.84 $279.65 $285.58
Discretionary
Pilot Program
n/a $2.00 $3.00 $3.25 $3.50 $3.50
5310 Total $258.3 $264.95 $271.21 $277.09 $283.15 $289.08
PROGRAM PURPOSE:
To improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation service and
expanding transportation mobility options. This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and
carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas – large
urbanized (over 200,000), small urbanized (50,000-200,000), and rural (under 50,000). Eligible projects include
both traditional capital investment and nontraditional investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) complementary paratransit services.
Statutory References: 49 U.S.C. Section 5310 / FAST Act Section 3006
Program Guidance: FTA Circular C. 9070.1G Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Program Guidance and Application Instructions.
Eligible Recipients:
Formula funds are apportioned to direct recipients:
o States for rural and small urban areas (small UZAs) and designated recipients chosen by the
Governor of the State for large urban areas (large UZAs); or
o State or local governmental entities that operates a public transportation service.
Direct recipients have flexibility in how they select subrecipient projects for funding, but their decision
process must be clearly noted in a state/program management plan.
The selection process may be: Formula-based, Competitive, or Discretionary and subrecipients can
include: States or local government authorities, private non-profit organizations, or operators of public
transportation.
Eligible Activities:
At least 55 percent of program funds must be used on capital or “traditional” 5310 projects. Examples
include:
o Buses and vans; wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement devices; transit-related information
technology systems including scheduling/routing/one-call systems; and mobility management
programs.
o Acquisition of transportation services under a contract, lease, or other arrangement. Both capital
and operating costs associated with contracted service are eligible capital expenses. User-side
subsidies are considered one form of eligible arrangement. Funds may be requested for
contracted services covering a time period of more than one year. The capital eligibility of
acquisition of services as authorized in 49 U.S.C. 5310(b)(4) is limited to the Section 5310
program.
The remaining 45 percent is for other “nontraditional” projects. Under MAP-21, the program was
modified to include projects eligible under the former 5317 New Freedom program, described as: Capital
and operating expenses for new public transportation services and alternatives beyond those required by
the ADA, designed to assist individuals with disabilities and seniors. Examples include:
o Travel training; volunteer driver programs; building an accessible path to a bus stop including
curb-cuts, sidewalks, accessible pedestrian signals or other accessible features; improving signage,
or way-finding technology; incremental cost of providing same day service or door-to-door
service; purchasing vehicles to support new accessible taxi, rides sharing and/or vanpooling
programs; and mobility management.
What’s Changed?
A State or local governmental entity that operates a public transportation service and that is eligible to
receive direct grants under 5311 or 5307 is now an eligible direct recipient for Section 5310 funds.
FTA shall disseminate a collection of Best Practices to public transportation stakeholders on innovation,
program models, new services delivery options, performance measure findings, and transit cooperative
research program reports.
Section 3006(b): a new discretionary pilot program for innovative coordinated access and mobility - open
to 5310 recipients and subrecipients – to assist in financing innovative projects for the transportation
disadvantaged that improve the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical
transportation (NEMT) services; such as: the deployment of coordination technology, projects that create
or increase access to community One-Call/One-Click Centers, etc.
Section 3006(c): Requires the interagency transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility
(CCAM) to create an updated strategic plan on transportation coordination across federal agencies, and
develop a cost-sharing policy
Funding:
Federal Share:
•Federal share is 80 percent for capital projects.
•Federal share is 50 percent for operating assistance.
Formula Details:
Based on Census data, the formula funds are apportioned to each State based on the number of older
adults and individuals with disabilities and allocated by area:
o Large UZAs: 60%
o Small UZAs: 20%
o Rural: 20%
o States can transfer small urban or rural allocations to large UZA’s but not the other way around.
Other:
Match can come from other Federal (non-DOT) funds. This can allow local communities to implement
programs with 100 percent federal funding. One example is Older Americans Act (OAA) Title IIIB
Supportive Services Funds:
5310 program recipients may partner with meal delivery programs such as the OAA-funded meal
programs (to find local programs, visit: www.Eldercare.gov) and the USDA Summer Food Service Program
http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp. Transit service providers receiving
5310 funds may coordinate and assist in providing meal delivery services on a regular basis if they do not
conflict with the provision of transit services.
FTA requires its formula grantees to provide half fare service for fixed route service supported with FTA
funds to older adults and individuals with disabilities who present a Medicare card:
A person whose addiction to drugs poses a substantial limitation on one or more major life activities is a
person with a disability and is eligible to receive transportation through the Section 5310 program,
including to a drug treatment center.For Additional Information on FTA and the FAST Act, please visit:
FACT SHEET:
URBANIZED AREA FORMULA PROGRAM GRANTS
49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Sections 5307 & 5340
FY16
(in millions)
FY17
(in millions)
FY18
(in millions)
FY19
(in millions)
FY20
(in millions)
Passenger
Ferry
$30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00
Urbanized
Area
Formula
(5307)
$4,508.90 $4,599.68 $4,696.90 $4,797.11 $4,899.45
Growing
States/High
Density
Formula
(5340)
$536.26 $544.43 $552.78 $561.31 $570.03
Urbanized
Area
Formula
Program
TOTAL
$5,075.16 $5,174.11 $5,279.68 $5,388.42 $5,499.48
PROGRAM PURPOSE: The Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) makes Federal
resources available to urbanized areas and to Governors for transit capital and operating assistance and
for transportation related planning in urbanized areas. An urbanized area is an Census-designated area
with a population of 50,000 or more as determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the
Census.
Statutory References: 49 U.S.C. Section 5307 and 5340 / FAST ACT Sections 3004, 3016
Program Requirement:https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/urbanized-
area-formula-program-program-guidance-and
Eligible Recipients: Funding is made available to designated recipients, which must be public bodies
with the legal authority to receive and dispense Federal funds. Governors, responsible local officials and
publicly owned operators of transit services are required to designate a recipient to apply for, receive, and
dispense funds for urbanized areas pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5307(a)(2). The Governor or Governor’s
designee is the designated recipient for urbanized areas between 50,000 and 200,000.
Eligible Activities: Eligible activities include planning, engineering, design and evaluation of transit
projects and other technical transportation-related studies; capital investments in bus and bus-related
activities such as replacement of buses, overhaul of buses, rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and
security equipment and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and capital investments in
new and existing fixed guideway systems including rolling stock, overhaul and rebuilding of vehicles,
track, signals, communications, and computer hardware and software. All preventive maintenance and
some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered capital
costs. For urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000, operating assistance is an eligible
expense.
For urbanized areas with 200,000 in population and over, funds are apportioned and flow directly to a
designated recipient selected locally to apply for and receive Federal funds. For urbanized areas under
200,000 in population, the funds are apportioned to the Governor of each state for distribution.
What’s Changed?
The 100 Bus Rule has been expanded to include demand-response service, excluding ADA
complementary paratransit service. An exception to the 100 Bus Rule has been added as well. If a
public transportation system executes a written agreement with one or more other public transportation
systems within the urbanized area to allocate funds by a method other than by measuring vehicle
revenue hours, each public transportation system that is part of the written agreement may follow the
terms of the written agreement instead of the measured vehicle revenue hours.
Under Grant Recipient Requirements, a provision has been added that directs recipients to maintain
equipment and facilities in accordance with their transit asset management plan.
Recipients are no longer required to expend 1% of their funding for associated transit improvements.
However, recipients are still required to submit an annual report listing projects that were carried out in
the preceding fiscal year.
Funding:
Federal Share: The Federal share is not to exceed 80 percent of the net project cost. The Federal share
may be 90 percent for the cost of vehicle-related equipment attributable to compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act. The Federal share may also be 90 percent for projects or
portions of projects related to bicycles. The Federal share may not exceed 50 percent of the net project
cost of operating assistance.
Formula Details: Funding is apportioned on the basis of legislative formulas. For areas of 50,000 to
199,999 in population, the formula is based on population and population density. For areas with
populations of 200,000 and more, the formula is based on a combination of bus revenue vehicle miles,
bus passenger miles, fixed guideway revenue vehicle miles, and fixed guideway route miles as well as
population and population density.
Passenger Ferry Grant Program:$30 million is set aside for passenger ferry grants, to be allocated
through competitive selection.
Anything else relevant: Funds are available the year appropriated plus five years.
Other:
Match can come from other Federal (non-DOT) funds. This can allow local communities to implement
programs with 100 percent federal funding.
Agencies that receive Section 5307 funding must offer half fare or reduced fare to people with
disabilities and seniors during off-peak hours for fixed-route services.
For Additional Information on FTA and the FAST Act, please visit: www.transit.dot.gov/fastact