Transit

Transit Funding

FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funding

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 in urbanized areas and for transportation-related planning. Currently, City Utilities Transit is the only provider in the OTO region to pursue Section 5307 funding. Until another provider expresses interest in applying for these funds, the OTO does not conduct a competitive application process for these funds.

Eligible activities for funding with Section 5307 monies include: (1) planning, engineering, design and evaluation of transit projects and other technical transportation-related studies; (2) capital investments in bus and bus-related activities such as replacement, overhaul and rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and security equipment and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities; and (3) 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. In addition, associated transit improvements and certain expenses associated with mobility management programs are eligible under the program. All preventive maintenance and some Americans with Disabilities Act complementary paratransit service costs are considered capital costs.

FTA Section 5310 Enhancing Mobility For Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities

The OTO is responsible for conducting a competitive project selection process for the region's annual allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 grant funds. These funds can be used to purchase rolling stock for area human service agencies or to make improvements to CU-Transit's system that goes above and beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The OTO's Local Coordinating Board for Transit (LCBT) is responsible for the reviewing applications and making reccomendations to the OTO's Board of Directors.

The LCBT uses the Section 5310 funding to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities that have been identified in the Transit Coordination Plan, the region's coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. The competitive process also follows the procedures outlined in the OTO's Program Management Plan.

FTA Section 5339 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. 5339) makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. Funding is provided through formula allocations and competitive grants. A sub-program, the Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Program, provides competitive grants for bus and bus facility projects that support low and zero-emission vehicles. Currently, City Utilities Transit is the only provider in the OTO region to pursue Section 5339 funding. Until another provider expresses interest in applying for these funds, the OTO does not conduct a competitive application process for these funds.