Public Transportation Grant Programs
The Section 5303 (Metropolitan Planning) and Section 5304 (Statewide Planning) Programs provide funds to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and directly to some urban transit systems to support the costs of preparing long range transportation plans and financially feasible Transportation Improvement Plans, as well as conducting intermodal transportation planning and technical studies.
Section 5307 (Urbanized Area Grants) provides funds to urbanized areas with populations of more than 50,000 for transit operating and capital assistance and for transportation-related planning. For areas under 200,000 in population, funds are apportioned on the basis of population and population density. For areas over 200,000 in population, funds are apportioned based on population, population density, and transit data.
Section 5310 (Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Grants): provides transit capital assistance, through the state, to private non-profit organizations and public bodies that provide specialized transportation services to elderly and/or disabled persons.
Section 5311 (Non-Urbanized Area Grants): provides funds to each state for state administration, planning, and technical assistance and for transit capital, operating, and project administration assistance in areas with populations of less than 50,000.
Section 5339 (Bus and Bus Related Equipment and Facilities Programs): makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment to construct bus-related facilities.
State Operating Assistance Program (UROP): assists local governments in meeting public transportation needs throughout the state.
Critical Trips Program (CRIT): provides operatin assistance to support demand response service in urban areas of Tennessee not served by the primary urban transit system operating in the urban core.
IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant (IMPV): invests in transit projects and improvements that support ridership, congestion relief, local economies, and community resilience. Competitive projects will focus on providing public-facing benefits, increasing mobility, and delivering long-term value for Tennesseans.
In addition to the programs outlined in this section, there are a few other ways that TDOT provides grant funding in support of public transit. If you are interested in more information about these grants, please reach out to our staff.
Rural Transit Assistance Program - (RTAP): provides a wide variety of technical assistance, training materials, and publications to rural transit professionals. TNRTAP website includes information, training schedules, and resources.
Commuter Ridesharing/TDM (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program/CMAQ - 23 USC 149): provides funds for on-line Rideshare matching software, free transit ozone alert days, vanpool acquisition and TDM Commuter Technical Assistance. Funds will be expended only in those counties and urbanized areas designated as non attainment areas by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.