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Funding

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Route Planning Restoration Program

Overview

The Route Planning Restoration (RPR) Program provides funds for public transportation planning associated with the restoration of transit service reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FTA competitively awarded grants to undertake transit route planning activities that are designed to:

  • Increase ridership and reduce travel times, while maintaining or expanding the total level of vehicle revenue miles of service provided in the planning period; or
  • Make service adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of service provided to low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities.

A total of $25 million in funding for the RPR Program was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117–2, March 11, 2021). Additional funding has not been allocated to this program, and no future funding cycles are anticipated at this time.

Eligible Activities

FTA competitively awarded grants to undertake transit route planning activities that are designed to:

  • Increase ridership and reduce travel times, while maintaining or expanding the total level of vehicle revenue miles of service provided in the planning period; or
  • Make service adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of service provided to low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities.

Applicants should reference FTA Circular 8100.1D - Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning and State Planning and Research Program Grants and FTA Circular 9050.1A - Urbanized Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance.

Eligible Recipients

Applicants must be eligible recipients under 49 U.S.C. 5307 (FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants program), as of the publication date of the RPR Program Notice of Funding Opportunity on GRANTS.GOV. Additionally, applicants must have experienced a reduction in transit service any time on or after January 20, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statutory References

  • Urbanized Area Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. § 5307)
  • The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2)

Match

There is no local match requirement as the minimum federal share for this program is 100% of the total project cost.

Selection of Projects

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Announcement

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), which President Biden signed on March 11, 2021, includes $30.5 billion in federal funding to support the nation’s public transportation systems as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and support the President’s call to vaccinate the U.S. population.

The relief funds are being distributed as follows, at 100-percent federal share:

See FTA’s American Rescue Plan Act Fact Sheet. 

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Additional Assistance Route Planning Restoration Program

On Thursday, June 2, FTA announced $25 million in discretionary grant funding selections for 50 transit projects in 24 states through the American Rescue Plan to help public transportation agencies return service from COVID-19 suspensions in ways that can best serve their communities.

The Route Planning Restoration Program provides funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for public transportation planning associated with the restoration of transit service reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under FTA's Route Planning Restoration Program, funding can be used for transit route restoration planning that is designed to increase ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic, reduce travel times and make adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of transit service for low-income riders and those in disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities who may need increased service to get to jobs, shopping and health care.

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Additional Assistance Funding

On Monday, March 7, FTA announced funding selections for $2.2 billion in discretionary grant funding for transit systems demonstrating additional pandemic-associated needs. 

Additional Assistance funding is being awarded to 35 transit systems in 18 states demonstrating additional assistance is needed to cover operating expenses related to maintaining day-to-day operations, cleaning and sanitization, combating the spread of pathogens on transit systems and maintaining critical staffing levels.

NOFO Information | Webinar Presentation | Webinar Recording

American Rescue Plan Webinar

FTA hosted an American Recue Plan Act webinar for the public transportation industry on April 2, 2021. The webinar provided an overview of the program, described eligibility requirements and allowed an opportunity to ask questions.

Presentation | Recording

American Rescue Plan Act Apportionments

ARP formula funding is being disbursed through FTA apportionments to its Urbanized Area, Rural Formula, Tribal Transit, and Enhanced Mobility of Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities programs.

Federal Share / Local Match

To determine acceptable sources of local match, please refer to specific program information in FTA Circulars, or Notices of Apportionments or Notices of Funding Opportunities in the Federal Register. 

In general, FTA grants funding for:

Capital...

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