FTA to Transit: $4.7B in FY22 Formula Funding Available (Updated)
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
More than $4.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2022 transit formula funding is now available to transit agencies, states and Tribal governments, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) reported on Feb. 3.
FTA has released on its website apportionment tables that specify the funding available through its formula programs for the first 4-1/2 months of FY 2022.
“The tables allow transit agencies and grant recipients to view the amounts for programs set by statutorily defined formulas, so they can better plan and manage over the long term for new projects and address their repair backlogs,” the agency reported.
Formula-based grant programs, FTA noted, include funding for transit systems in both urbanized and rural areas, grants for buses and bus facilities—including low- and no-emission buses—transit designed for seniors and people with disabilities, planning funds, and support to improve the condition of transit assets.
The funds have been made available under the Further Extending Government Funding Act, which provides partial-year spending authority through Feb. 18, 2022, according to FTA. The amounts also include funding identified as advance appropriations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for FY 2022 for the State of Good Repair and Enhanced Mobility of Senior and Individuals with Disabilities formula programs.
Full-year formula funding will be available once Congress passes an FY 2022 appropriations bill. “Once enacted, transit funding will be available at the levels proscribed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support transit in 500 urban communities across the country and rural transit systems nationwide,” FTA said.
“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, which is increasing significantly thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said. “This first down payment will help agencies start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and bring more fast, safe, convenient service.”
In related developments, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has launched a Smart Guide to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide information and resources to aid members in navigating the many aspects of this new law. It includes APTA’s summaries, funding and formula apportionment tables, and detailed section-by-section analyses of the public transit, passenger rail, Buy America, and other important titles of the BIL. It also includes U.S. Department of Transportation formula apportionments, guidance, memoranda, regulations and competitive grant opportunities.
APTA will update the Guide as more information about the BIL and USDOT grant opportunities becomes available.
