Bus and Bus Facilities - Section 3017 (Competitive)

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Purpose

To make 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. The competitive Bus and Bus Facilities program includes the Low or No Emission Vehicle Program.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants include designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus operators, states or local governmental entities that operate fixed route bus service, and Indian tribes. Eligible subrecipients include all otherwise eligible applicants and also private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation.

Decarbonization Considerations

Decarbonization strategies may focus on investments that expand transit services in a manner that reduces single passenger vehicle miles traveled, invest in zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, and holistic transportation strategies that emphasize walking, cycling, and public transit connectivity alongside electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure build-out for ride-sharing and vehicle sharing programs.

Equity Considerations

See the "Equity Design Considerations for Federal Funding" for general considerations and additional sector-based resources: https://cityrenewables.org/resources/equity-design-considerations-for-federal-funding/

Helpful Tips

For past program details and awards, see here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/bus-program 15% of the amount awarded will go to projects located in rural areas.

Other Notes

Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5% of their requested grant award for workforce development activities eligible under federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5314(b)) and an additional 0.5% for costs associated with training at the National Transit Institute. For applicants proposing projects related to zero-emission vehicles for either program, 5% of the requested federal award must be used for workforce development activities.