Tribal Transit Program

ARRA set aside 2.5 percent of the funds appropriated for the Section 5311 program to be distributed to Indian Tribes under the provisions of FTA’s Tribal Transit Program. FTA published a Federal Register Notice on March 23, 2009 (PDF) announcing the availability of $17 million in funding, specifying the unique requirements under the ARRA program, and soliciting applications. Tribes responded by submitting over 70 applications with a total value of $ 55 million by the May 22, 2009, deadline.

Tribal Transit Program funds under ARRA can only be used for capital projects. FTA also published an annual Notice of Funding Availability for the FY 2009 Tribal Transit Program ($15 million) on April 29, 2009. The annually appropriated funds can be used for operations and planning, in addition to capital assistance. Applications for the annual program were due June 29, 2009.

FTA coordinated its review of tribal applications under the ARRA program and the annual program to maximize the opportunities for Tribes and avoid redundant funding. FTA announced the selection of 100 projects for Tribal Transit funding – 39 projects for $17 million under the ARRA Tribal Transit Program – and 61 projects for $15 million under the FY 2009 appropriations for the Tribal Transit Program on December 18, 2009. For more information on the projects selected please view the Federal Register Notice (PDF).