Formula Grants for Rural Areas - 5311
Overview
The Formula Grants for Rural Areas program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000, where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations. The program also provides funding for state and national training and technical assistance through the Rural Transportation Assistance Program.
Eligible Recipients
Eligible recipients include states and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Subrecipients may include state or local government authorities, nonprofit organizations, and operators of public transportation or intercity bus service.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include planning, capital, operating, job access and reverse commute projects, and the acquisition of public transportation services.
Statutory References
Funding and Match
The federal share is 80 percent for capital projects, 50 percent for operating assistance, and 80 percent for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) non-fixed route paratransit service. Section 5311 funds are available to the States during the fiscal year of apportionment plus two additional years (total of three years). Funds are apportioned to States based on a formula that includes land area, population, revenue vehicle miles, and low-income individuals in rural areas.
Intercity Bus Program
Each state must spend no less than 15 percent of its annual apportionment for the development and support of intercity bus transportation, unless it can certify, after consultation with intercity bus service providers, that the intercity bus needs of the state are being adequately met.
Technical Assistance
Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL)
The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA. Participating FTA-funded technical assistance centers include:
- National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
- National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
- National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
- National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
- Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
For additional technical assistance resources, visit Coordination-Related Technical Assistance Centers.
Training and Technical Assistance is available through the National Rural Transit Assistance Program
Statutory References
49 U.S.C. 5311
FTA State Programs Meeting
Save the Date
19th Biennial State Programs Meeting and State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference (Virtual)
September 28-30, 2021
This event brings together state departments of transportation and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to discuss funding and initiatives for rural and tribal areas. Learn about FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (Section 5311), Formula Grants for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310) and supplemental funding for Coronavirus response.
Registration and event details are available here conference site (please use Chrome to optimize your experience). The agenda will be posted to the website soon. For questions, please contact Elan Flippin, Elan.Flippin@dot.gov, or Sarah Clements, Sarah.Clements@dot.gov.
Attendees at this event include State program managers for the Section 5311 and 5310 programs, state transit association representatives, FTA regional and headquarters staff, FTA-funded technical assistance centers and Tribes.
FTA sponsors the event in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA).