The Federal Transit Administration released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $226 million in grant funding under Section 5339, which covers the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. This announcement is a welcome follow-up to the INFRA Grants Program announced last month, making approximately $1.5 billion in grant funding available for transportation infrastructure projects.
Proposals for the Buses and Bus Facilities grant funding are due by Aug. 25, and a minimum of 10 percent of the grant funds awarded will go toward projects in rural areas. Eligible projects include capital projects to replace, rehabilitate or lease buses, vans and related equipment, and capital projects to rehabilitate, purchase, construct or lease bus-related facilities.
Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
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Demonstration of need, which includes improving connectivity through the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies or software that links buses with other transportation modes.
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Demonstration of benefits, which includes how a proposed project will improve access to employment opportunities, education and other services.
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Consistency with local and regional plans, with additional consideration given to applications having support letters from local and regional planning organizations, local government officials and public agencies confirming consistency with local and regional long-range transportation planning documents.
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Local financing commitment, including description of availability of local matching funds.
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Project implementation strategy, including whether the project is ready to be implemented within a reasonable period of time.
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Technical, legal and financial capacity to undertake and complete the project, including addressing any unresolved issues from previous federal grant related audits.
These announcements of transportation grant funding opportunities by DOT demonstrate a continued focus on the integration of technology, connectivity and enhanced mobility.
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