FTA Region 6 Newsletter - January 2025

The Federal Transit Administration sent this bulletin at 01/17/2025 11:25 AM EST

January 2025

Note From the Regional Administrator

Greetings and Happy New Year from FTA - Region 6! FTA is excited to continue enhancing communication efforts through our regional newsletter. With the support of our Office of Communications, we aim to share valuable updates and resources with our partners across our five-state region. Each edition is designed to bring you timely information in an engaging format, including community updates, success stories, important dates, and more. We hope this newsletter becomes a trusted resource for you, highlighting the incredible work happening throughout our region. I look forward to sharing your achievements and celebrating the strides you’re making to improve transit. Don’t hesitate to share inspiring stories with your Region 6 contacts for a chance to be featured in a future edition!

Transit Ridership on the Rise Nationwide, Industry Supports Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs

According to a recent FTA report on transit trends, ridership in the United States continues to increase, growing by more than 17% nationwide from 2022 to 2023. The increase reflects more Americans choosing to take buses, subways, light rail, and other modes to travel to work, school, services, and weekend activities across the country and came as transit agencies better understood ridership needs following travel pattern changes during the pandemic. Learn more.

FTA Announces 26 Tribes and Alaska Native Villages to Receive $9.6 Million for Transit National Announcements

The competitive grants through FTA’s Tribal Transit Program enable Tribes to buy transit vehicles, upgrade bus facilities, and expand or improve transit service. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes nearly $46 million in competitive funding over five years for the Tribal Transit Program, an increase of nearly 83%. Learn more.

More FTA Program Announcements and Initiatives

Events

First USDOT PIA Workshop in New Orleans

The first USDOT Project Initiation Accelerator (PIA) technical assistance workshop will be hosted in Region VI at the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission on February 12–13, 2025. This workshop marks an invaluable opportunity for limited-capacity and first-time grant recipients in our region to gain insights into federal requirements, processes, and resources to ensure successful project execution. With a focus on supporting grant recipients in meeting program goals and deadlines, this event is a significant step toward fostering stronger, more sustainable infrastructure development.

Updates to CIG Reporting Instructions, Templates & Workbooks

This year, the updated CIG Reporting Instructions, templates, and standard cost category worksheets are being released in January, reflecting the updated CIG Policy Guidance. This week, FTA will post updated CIG reporting instructions, templates, and standard cost category worksheets on FTA’s website. These documents are updated annually by FTA and should be used by:

Project sponsors seeking a rating for advancement into the next phase of the CIG process (Engineering or a construction grant agreement);

Project sponsors seeking a rating at any time other than a formal approval step in the CIG process; and

Project sponsors who wish to have their project evaluated and rated for consideration as a funding recommendation in the upcoming FY 2027 Annual Report to Congress. The due date for submittal of complete information to FTA for the FY 2027 Annual Report is Friday August 22, 2025.

Regional News

Congratulations to San Antonio on the VIA Advanced Rapid Transit Green Line Grant

We are excited to celebrate San Antonio’s success in securing a $267.8 million construction grant through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. This grant represents a significant investment in the city’s transit future, supporting the construction of the new VIA Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) North/South Corridor, also known as the Green Line.

This transformational 10-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) project will provide fast, reliable service connecting neighborhoods to regional activity centers and iconic destinations like the Riverwalk and the Alamo. With nearly eight miles of dedicated bus lanes, low-emission compressed natural gas vehicles, and accessibility enhancements such as ADA-compliant sidewalks and improved lighting, the Green Line will improve mobility and air quality while reducing congestion.

The Green Line aligns with San Antonio’s vision for growth, preparing the city for its expected population boom of an additional 1 million residents by 2040. It will enhance access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and recreational destinations, helping alleviate the financial burden of transportation for residents, many of whom currently spend nearly a quarter of their income on travel. This project exemplifies the power of transit to transform communities, promote equity, and support sustainable growth. The Green Line will be a cornerstone of San Antonio’s thriving future. Learn more

Congratulations to VIA Metropolitan Transit and the city of San Antonio on this vital federal funding!

RAISE Grants

In January, USDOT announced $1.32 billion in grants through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. Among the RAISE grants, which support multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs, is support for 20 transit projects across the country.

Congratulations to Region VI’s RAISE Grant Recipients!

We’re thrilled to celebrate the Region VI recipients of the RAISE discretionary grants. These projects are part of the $1.32 billion awarded nationwide in the first round of funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The competitive RAISE program supports transformative transportation projects in urban and rural areas, with a focus on historically disadvantaged communities and regions of persistent poverty.

Our region shines with innovative and impactful projects that will modernize infrastructure, enhance safety, and expand access to essential services. Congratulations to:

Rock Region METRO in Little Rock, AR for planning a state-of-the-art transit station with bus bays, microtransit accommodations, green spaces, and community facilities, including a childcare center and workforce housing.

Rio Metro Regional Transit District Rail Runner Express in Albuquerque, NM for constructing a new Operations and Maintenance Facility to service commuter rail equipment.

Oklahoma City, OK ADA Accessibility Enhancements to upgrade 360 bus stops and add 10 miles of ADA-compliant sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure.

El Paso’s Sun Metro for a feasibility study on expanding Bus Rapid Transit along the Montana Brio Corridor.

Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro for extending the TexRail commuter rail line by 2.1 miles, improving connectivity with new platforms, signals, and pedestrian amenities.

These projects exemplify the spirit of the RAISE program, addressing local needs while fostering sustainability, equity, and economic growth. Congratulations again to all recipients—your work is helping transform Region VI and beyond!

Funding Opportunity: $27 Million from USDOT Build America Bureau for Rural and Tribal Transportation Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau recently announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program offers $27 million in technical assistance grants for rural and tribal transportation project planning and design. No local funding match is required, and up to $10 million is allocated for Tribal applicants. Applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, March 4 and are due by April 3.

Other Recent Announcements

Reminders

We strongly urge all grantees to upload their Authorizing Resolution and Opinion of Counsel before the March 5, 2025, deadline. On December 6, 2024, FTA’s Associate Administrator of Program Management issued a Dear Colleague letter highlighting that the following two documents must be uploaded to an agency’s profile to support verification of their legal capacity to carry out the project(s) included in federal assistance awards:

Opinion of Counsel
Authorizing Resolution

Beginning March 5, 2025, TrAMS will prevent any recipients that have not properly identified the Opinion of Counsel and Authorizing Resolution in their Recipient Document profile from transmitting or submitting new applications unless they have correctly labeled and/or uploaded their required legal documents.

Information on this enhancement and a short tutorial video are available on FTA’s TrAMS webpage.

Partial Year Apportionments

Be on the lookout for FY 2025 Partial Year Apportionments in the coming days.

Coming Soon: Recipients scheduled for a FY 2025 State Management Review or Triennial Review will receive the Recipient Information Request Packet no later than January 17, 2025. If the packet is not received by this date, please send an email to chevonne.madison@dot.gov  and sharon.coats@dot.gov .