Transit Funding Opportunities
TDOT provides a variety of funding opportunities for public transit agencies throughout the year. Below is a list of active opportunities and recent awards.
A Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) is required to compete for a 2024 IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant award. Eligibility considerations include the applicant’s status as a recipient of 5307 or 5311 funding, transit-related purpose and need, non-duplication of ongoing or previously funded initiatives, the applicant agency’s compliance status, and completeness of the submitted documentation. To submit a Notice of Intent to Apply, please follow the link below.
Notice of Intent to Apply: SFY2024 IMPROVE
Deadline: Notices of Intent to Apply must be received by 11:59pm Central on July 31, 2023 to be considered. Questions about the IMPROVE Act Transit Investment Grant program, the NOI/application process, or about the specifics of a proposed project may be directed to Christopher Turner at Christopher.turner@tn.gov or by phone (615) 253-1033.
The Section 5310 Program Call for Projects received a total of $7,108,850 in eligible project applications. A total of $2,580,772 in federal funding was awarded to the following applicants:
| Applicant | Project Location | Project Description |
Award |
| Adult Community Training | Rural | 1 Replacement Van | $68,622 |
| Cumberland Mountain Industries | Rural | 1 Replacement Van | $66,717 |
| King's Daughters' School | Rural | 1 Replacement Van | $68,622 |
| PCS of West TN | Rural | 1 Replacement Bus | $69,306 |
| Progressive Directions, Inc. | Rural | 1 Expansion Van | $68,622 |
| SCTDD | Rural | Mobility Management | $682,866 |
| SETHRA | Rural | Mobility Management | $86,789 |
| UCHRA | Rural | Mobility Management | $400,000 |
| Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System | Rural | 1 Expansion Bus | $69,306 |
| Clarksville Transit System | Urban | 2 Replacement Buses | $138,611 |
| Clarksville Transit System | Urban | 6 Replacement Price Increases | $45,174 |
| ETHRA | Urban | 4 Replacement Buses | $277,222 |
| Frontier Health | Urban | 1 Replacement Van | $66,717 |
| Life Bridges, Inc. | Urban | 3 Replacement Vans | $200,152 |
| Mt. Carmel Senior Center | Urban | 1 Replacement Bus | $69,306 |
| Progressive Directions, Inc. | Urban | 2 Expansion Vans | $133,435 |
| Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System | Urban | 1 Expansion Bus | $69,306 |
| Project Type | Applicant | Project Scope | SFY2023 Award |
| Rolling Stock & Equipment |
Chattanooga (CARTA) | Purchase of 7 replacement roll up doors at the maintenance shop. | $224,000 |
| Chattanooga (CARTA) | Purchase of a generator at the paratransit department to ensure continuity of operations and emergency planning. | $120,000 | |
| Clarksville | Purchase of 2 expansion buses to serve rapid growth in demand in the North side of service area. | $800,000 | |
| Knox CAC | Purchase and install wheelchair lift safety barriers on entire fleet. | $100,000 | |
| Knoxville (KAT) | Mid-life overhauls for up to 5 hybrid transit vehicles. | $658,155 | |
| Memphis (MATA)* | Phase 1 rehabilitation of Siemens U2 streetcars for operation on the Madison Line, including essential inspections, maintenance, repairs, modifications, testing, and integration testing. | $1,000,000 | |
| Infrastructure (Passenger-Facing) |
Nashville (WeGo) | Replace 24 real-time electric bus bay signs at WeGo Central station & four waiting areas. | $1,800,000 |
| Nashville (WeGo) | Development of former Hickory Hollow Mall into a transit center and mobility hub. | $5,000,000 | |
| Nashville (WeGo) | Pedestrian safety & bus access improvements at 4 bus stops on or adjacent to the High Injury Network | $1,200,000 | |
| Facilities | Knoxville (KAT) | Complete in-route charging project at Knoxville Station, including construction, chargers, and engineering. | $3,750,000 |
| Murfreesboro | Additional funding for construction of the Murfreesboro Transit Center | $3,000,000 | |
| UCHRA | Purchase of a property in McMinnville to renovate into a new hub for rural operations in Warren County. | $700,000 | |
| IMPROVE SFY23 Competitive Awards Total | $18,352,155 | ||
| IMPROVE SFY23 Advanced Commitment Total | $2,279,250 | ||
| IMPROVE SFY23 Grand Total | $20,631,405 | ||
| TDOT Project Delivery & Program Administration | $368,595 | ||
| SFY2023 IMPROVE Act Transit Investment Grant Budget | $21,000,000 | ||
| *Award is contingent based on progress of prior award for this same purpose. | |||