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Section 5311
20.509
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5311, FTA apportions or awards funds for planning, public transportation capital projects, operating costs, job access reverse commute projects, and the acquisition of public transportation service to States and Indian Tribes located in rural areas (those with a population under 50,000). The Section 5311 program supports both the maintenance of existing public transportation services and the expansion of those services through the following program goals: (1) Enhancing access to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation in rural areas; (2) Assisting in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public transportation systems in rural areas; (3) Encouraging and facilitating the most efficient use of all transportation funds used to provide passenger transportation in rural areas through the coordination of programs and services; (4) Providing financial assistance to help carry out national goals related to mobility for all, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals; (5) Increasing availability of transportation options through investments in intercity bus services; (6) Assisting in the development and support of intercity bus transportation; (7) Encouraging mobility management, employment-related transportation alternatives, joint development practices, and transit-oriented development (TOD); and (8) Providing for the participation of private transportation providers in rural public transportation.
This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the
administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.
For more information on each of these data sources, please see the
About the data page.
Approximately 167 million trips in rural areas are provided annually. Additionally, FTA allocated approximately $30 million to 124 tribes for the purpose of expanding transportation services and improving the quality of life for tribes in Indian Country. During the 22nd National Rural and Intercity Bus Conference, FTA’s Acting Administrator presented the Administrator’s Award to three rural transit providers that improved the mobility of Americans in rural areas and enhanced access to employment, health care, and other community services. The award recipients included the following: • Durango Transit in Durango, CO; • Barry County Transit in Hastings, MI; and • Tri-Valley Heartland Express in Crookston, MN
Approximately 167 million trips in rural areas are provided annually. Additionally, FTA allocated approximately $30 million to 124 tribes for the purpose of expanding transportation services and improving the quality of life for tribes in Indian Country.
The rural transit program is anticipated to continue.
The programs continue to provide funding to rural areas in support of public transportation. In 2019, The Native Village of Buckland initiated transit service to provide greater access to jobs, school, healthcare and other services.
In Nov 2020, the Mescalero Apache Tribe in New Mexico received$523,693 to maintain transit services and purchase a mobile snow plow. The project supported the continuity of services for tribal members by connecting them to employment, healthcare and social services throughout South Central New Mexico.
On February 22, 2022, FTA announced the availability of $8.75 million in Fiscal Year 2022 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in rural areas. Federally recognized tribes may use the funding for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses for public transit projects that meet the growing needs of rural tribal communities.
Both the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Programs have considered relevant approaches to achieving the intended goals and objectives of the respective programs consistent with statutory requirements, including priorities in the November 18, 2021 Executive Order on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest public dollars equitably, create good jobs with high labor standards, ensure goods and services are made in America, and build infrastructure that is resilient and helps combat the climate crisis.
On March 26, 2023, FTA announced the availability of $8.9 million in Fiscal Year 2023 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in rural areas. In October, 2023, $9.9 million was allocated to projects under this program. Federally recognized Tribes may use the funding for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses for public transit projects that meet the growing needs of rural Tribal communities. Both the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Programs have considered relevant approaches to achieving the intended goals and objectives of the respective programs consistent with statutory requirements, including priorities in the November 18, 2021 Executive Order on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to invest public dollars equitably, create good jobs with high labor standards, ensure goods and services are made in America, and build infrastructure that is resilient and helps combat the climate crisis.
On August 15, 2024, FTA announced the availability of $9.2 million in Fiscal year 2024 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in rural areas.
Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):
For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.
OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.
