FTA Releases Updated List of Transit Operators Eligible for Operating Assistance in Large Urbanized Areas (population 200,000+)

The Federal Transit Administration has published a revised list of public transportation operators in large urbanized areas (with populations equal to or greater than 200,000) that are eligible to receive operating assistance in Fiscal Year 2013, pursuant to MAP-21. This revised list is shown in FTA’s Apportionment Table #3A, FTA FY 2013 SECTION 5307 OPERATING ASSISTANCE SPECIAL RULE OPERATOR CAPS. Eligible operators are public entities that operate fixed route bus service with 100 or fewer buses in maximum peak hour service, and that operate transit service in a large urbanized area. This provision does not affect the continued availability of operating assistance for public transportation operators in urbanized areas with populations between 50,000 and 199,999.

Apportionment Table #3A includes a maximum dollar amount that an eligible agency may use for operating assistance. This amount is based on the number of vehicles in maximum peak hour fixed route service, the Section 5307 apportionment to the urbanized area, and the relative share of public transportation in the urbanized area operated by an eligible agency. In a change from the previous table, FTA is now including all non-rail transit service in the calculation of an operator's share of public transportation service in an urbanized area. This table also includes additional formerly rural agencies that have been identified as operating within the expanded boundaries of large urbanized areas due to the 2010 Census.

As required under Section 5307, any use of program funds, including operating assistance, requires that funds be allocated by the designated recipient for Section 5307 in the urbanized area, in coordination with the MPO and the metropolitan planning process. If allocated, FTA operating assistance requires a 50% local match. The amounts available are based on the current continuing resolution, and represent approximately half of the anticipated full year amounts. The full year amounts will be determined based upon Congressional appropriations.

For more information, please visit FTA’s MAP-21 and FY 2013 Appropriations website.