Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $10.5 Million Funding Opportunity to Plan Housing Near Transit  In May, FTA announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in competitive grant funds for agencies to plan transit-adjacent development. FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning supports local planning and investment near transit hubs to promote sustainable, livable, and equitable communities, with a focus on projects that plan for affordable housing. With funding from BIL, these planning grants are intended to link public transportation, land use, and housing to create communities that are walkable and connected to transit. This round of TOD grants will also support the Biden-Harris Administration's new Housing Supply Action Plan by providing special consideration to applications that promote housing affordability. To apply for funding, an applicant must be an existing FTA grant recipient – either a project sponsor of an eligible transit project or an entity with land use planning authority in the project corridor. See instructions for applying and eligibility information. Applications are due July 22, 2024. 

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $316 Million to Modernize Ferry Service and Better Connect Rural Communities  In April, FTA announced the availability of $316 million to support and modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities across the country. Approximately three million people in the United States rely on ferries for transportation to work, school, healthcare appointments, and other important destinations. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided additional funding to FTA's longstanding Passenger Ferry Program, expanding support to encompass ferry systems transitioning to climate-friendly technologies and improving ferry service in rural areas. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes the Passenger Ferry Program, the Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program, and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program. See instructions for applying and eligibility information. Don’t delay -- grant applications are due June 17.  

NTD TAM Snapshot: This report summarizes data transit agencies reported to the National Transit Database (NTD), providing an inventory and assessment of the condition of assets used to provide transit service nationally. The snapshot shows data submitted for Report Year 2022, with some references and comparisons to data compiled since 2018, the first year transit agencies were required to report under the Transit Asset Management (TAM) rule (49 CFR 625). 

Integrating TAM Data into National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting: FTA posted the recording for the April webinar on Integrating TAM Data into National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting, to describe how TAM reporting can be integrated into the comprehensive NTD reporting requirements. The session was part of FTA’s TAM webinar series to help transit agencies incorporate asset management best practices to provide safer, more reliable transit service nationwide while reducing operating costs. 

Minnesota: Metro Transit Expanding Fleet of Electric Buses in 'Crucial' Step Toward Environmental Goal

In April, Minneapolis' Metro Transit announced a plan to buy 20 new electric buses, using $21 million in FTA grant funding to cover part of the cost. Metro transit expects the buses to be in service by 2026. The acquisitions support Metro Transit’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and the agency’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan, which calls for deploying buses powered with alternatives to diesel fuel.

Minnesota: Funding for Electrification Enhancements Targeted for Rosemount Transit Station

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has secured $950,000 in federal funding to provide at Rosemount Transit Station and 157 Street Station in Apple Valley. MVTA is planning to install four electric vehicle charging stations and one pantograph charging station for transit buses.

Louisiana: Jefferson Parish Unveils $8.9M East Bank Transit Operations Center 

Jefferson Parish officials unveiled a new transportation operations facility on the East Bank, an $8.9 million federally funded project that also included renovations to the bus maintenance building. The new facility, a 15,000-square foot, two-story building in Metairie, overlooks the bus yard to make it easier for staff to monitor operations, and features a bus battery charging room and two new fuel pumping stations.  

Florida: Here's How PSTA Plans to Move Toward a 'Cleaner, Greener Future'  

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has recently upgraded buses, routes and amenities. In a move towards sustainability, the agency is converting its entire fleet of buses into electric vehicles. PSTA is also developing a new transit center in Clearwater, with plans to open in 2026. the expanded facility will connect riders across Pinellas County and provide more efficient options for commuters between downtown and the beach.  

Ohio: TARTA Board Approves $13.2 Million Order for 11 Electric Buses  

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s (TARTA) board of trustees approved the agency’s purchase of 11 full-size electric buses to be built by a California-based manufacturer. TARTA will use state funding and $9 million in federal grant funding to purchase the buses and their charging stations.  

Nevada: Zero-Emissions Buses Aimed at Raising Las Vegas’ Clean Public Transport Profile  

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada and the city of Las Vegas plan to improve their bus system and complementary pedestrian connections. RTC started its transition last year to a 100% fleet of zero emission buses by debuting two hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles that emit low or no greenhouse gases with the help of a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

To Expand Transit on the Cheap, Cities Explore Infill Stations 

Infill stations are an increasingly popular solution in US cities whose rail transit systems were originally designed to shuttle suburban commuters to and from downtown. At a time when laying new tracks can be prohibitively expensive, infill stations are an affordable way to make the most of existing infrastructure. Transit systems in Washington, DC, the Bay Area, Boston and Chicago have all opened infill stations in recent years, and more are planned.  

Illinois: New Carbondale Transportation Hub on the Road to Completion  The effort to transform Carbondale’s old Amtrak station into a new travel hub is on the fast track to completion. The project was made possible through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant and will replace the city’s outdated Amtrak station built nearly 50 years ago. Phase 1 of the project will be complete and ready for visitors this fall. Phase 2 will involve demolishing the old Amtrak station.