U.S DOT Announces Research Funding to Improve People’s Transportation Access

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $6 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to help improve people’s access to affordable transportation, especially in areas that currently lack efficient and convenient transit options.

“Transit can be a great equalizer, but for many Americans, such options are limited or simply don’t exist,” said Nuria Fernandez,  FTA Administrator. “This new program will help eliminate barriers to affordable transportation and improve access to jobs, school, healthcare, friends and family — all of the ingredients for a good quality of life.” 

Under the Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Program, the selected organization will partner with FTA to establish a research and demonstration program to improve access to affordable transportation options for everyday destinations. FTA plans to share findings with the public so research organizations, transit agencies, and others can learn from and expand upon the insights developed from FTA-funded research.  

In support of the DOT Strategic Plan and recently released Equity Action Plan, the Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Programwill address several Biden-Harris Administration priorities, including:

• Investing in American infrastructure and communities.
• Making transportation safer.
• Reducing transportation costs in household budgets.
• Making the nation’s transportation systems more equitable. 
• Building more resilient and sustainable transportation systems to benefit and protect communities. 
• Investing in research and innovation.  

FTA said it will work with one organization as program lead to develop and implement demonstrations that support public transportation to increase transportation access and evaluate outcomes and effectiveness.