Rural Transportation Assistance Program - 5311(b)(3)

Program Overview

The Rural Transit Assistance Program (49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(3)) provides a source of funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas.

Eligible Recipients

States, local governments, and providers of rural transit services.

Eligible Activities

States may use RTAP funds to support nonurbanized transit activities in four categories:  training, technical assistance, research, and related support services.

The State should develop State RTAP activities through a process that provides maximum opportunity for the participation of rural transit operators, both public and private, in identifying and establishing priority areas of need for transportation research, technical assistance, training, and related support services in other than urbanized areas.

Statutory Reference

49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(3)

Funding Availability

Funds are available the year appropriated plus two years (total of three years).

Allocation of Funding

The State RTAP program is allocated  to the states based on an administrative formula. The RTAP formula first allocates $65,000 to each of the states and Puerto Rico, and $10,000 to the Insular Areas of Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Marianas, and then distributes the balance according to nonurbanized population of the states. The national component is competitively selected every five years and is  funded under a competitive cooperative agreement.

Match

There is no Federal requirement for a local match.