U.S. DOT Announce More Than $20B for Communities to Support Transit

President Biden and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a more than $20 billion investment in American transit.

The funding levels, detailed by FTA in apportionment tables for each of 30 programs for Fiscal Year 2022, will provide 58% more funding, enabling transit agencies to expand services for residents in communities large and small.  

California will receive $1,968,211,766 in annual transit formula funding, based on funding set by Congress. Communities may also receive additional funding that is distributed to urban areas.

“Every day, transit connects millions of Americans to jobs, schools, groceries, hospitals, resources, and countless other opportunities – all while helping to reduce pollution, congestion, and traffic,” said Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation secretary. “Now, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are making the largest investment in public transit in our nation’s history.”

Full-year funding is available following Congressional passage of an FY 2022 appropriations bill in March.

“This funding will open more doors to Americans than ever before,” said Nuria Fernandez, FTA administrator. “Every time a door opens on a bus, a streetcar, a train or a ferry, it’s another chance to connect with our communities. With this announcement, we are also helping fulfill key Biden-Harris Administration priorities by addressing equity, workforce, and climate concerns and moving toward a clean, American-made transportation future.”

The FY 2022 full-year apportionment, which supports all of FTA’s programs, supersede partial-year tables posted in February 2022. The full-year amounts significantly increase funding for many programs, including:

• $6.9 billion for the Urbanized Area Formula Program, which supports transit agencies in large U.S. cities and suburbs, 29% more than the FY21 funding level.
• $4.1 billion for the State of Good Repair Formula Program, 52% more than the FY21 funding level.
• $893 million for Rural Area Formula grants, which support transit programs in rural areas, representing 23% more than the FY21 level.
• $422 million for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program, representing 44% more than the FY21 level.
• $45 million to support to transit programs run by tribal governments through formula and competitive grants, representing 25% more than the FY21 funding level.
• $49 million for State Safety Oversight, representing 69% more than FY21 funding level.