Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was enacted in November, 2021, more than $220 billion in grants have been awarded or allocated to nearly 35,000 projects in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. The law includes $108 billion for public transportation – the largest transit investment in U.S. history.
In passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress made a generational investment in our nation’s infrastructure, funding numerous new programs that can be used by state and local governments to expand access to mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and improve equity by funding transit projects.
While many of the new programs come in the form of competitive grants, the law also includes increases in funding to formula funds for states, transit agencies, and local governments, along with significant changes to how formula funds are allocated. Both types of programs create major opportunities for transit agencies to get creative in applying for infrastructure bill funding, considering not just USDOT programs like the Urbanized Area Formula (5307) Grants, but also EPA and other broader climate, pollution prevention, and carbon reduction funding.
In the last few weeks alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation has made available, through a competitive process, almost $5.5 billion in grant funding for states, municipal governments, and transit agencies for capital improvement projects. The agency also announced the recipients of $3.9 billion in grants for low- or no-emission bus purchases and the RAISE multimodal program.
$5.5 billion for capital improvement projects announced
On Tuesday June 26, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that USDOT is making available $5.575 billion in funding for projects of regional or national significance. This funding supports three major discretionary grant programs that involve multi-modal surface transportation projects designed to improve our transportation system.
Applications for funding are being solicited together under a single opportunity titled the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program. The funding stretches over two fiscal years (FY 23 and FY 24), and some funding will be subject to annual appropriations.
While funding made available under this program is intended for large capital projects, the inclusion of smaller elements such as enhanced transit service along a corridor, improving fare collection in a region, or expanding rural access through wayfinding and fare collection, can enhance a project’s chance of being successful. The application deadline is August 21, 2023.
Recipients of $3.9 billion in competitive grant awards announced
The USDOT also recently made two separate announcements about the recipients of more than $3.9 billion in federal infrastructure funds for clean buses and multi-modal transportation projects.
First, the Federal Transit Administration announced $1.7 billion in Lo-No Bus Grants. The Lo-No program funds the purchase of low or no emission buses, bus stations, and related equipment. The $1.7 billion in grants will fund transit projects in 46 states and territories. This funding invests in more than 1,700 American-built buses that will be manufactured with American parts and labor.
Two days later, Secretary Buttigieg announced the awarding of more than $2.2 billion in RAISE grants. RAISE grants provide state and local governments with funding to develop and implement a variety of multi-modal transportation programs and projects. This year’s funding represents the largest RAISE grant awards.
Fare collection upgrades are eligible projects under both of these programs. Genfare worked with its partners and clients secure these grants, and we congratulate those who received funding under these programs.
Genfare can help you win grant funding
While fare collection is Genfare’s business, elevating transit is at the heart of what we do. We’re not just a vendor, we’re your advisor, and together we can simplify the transit experience, empower equitable mobility, and connect communities. Furthermore, because grant programs can be used for Genfare solutions, it’s in our best interest to look out for your best interests, and help our customers better understand the opportunities available to make transit better.
If you are interested in learning more about how federal grants can be used to improve your agency’s fare collection efforts, or provide funding for other activities, read our federal grant guide or read our Q&A blog post on grants. Or, just reach out to your Business Development Director to request a meeting to discuss further how we can help.