IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant
Part of the “Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads, and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy” Act signed into law in 2017 under the Haslam Administration, the IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant contributes to reducing congestion, increasing ridership, promoting economic development, and benefits to safety by providng state funding to transit-related projects. Since its inception in 2018, nearly 100 capital transit projects have been awarded, including the locomotive rebuild for the WeGo Star, transit bus stop improvements, capital start-up costs for a micro-transit project, and transit facilities. The grant aligns with TDOT’s vision of continuous improvement and data informed decision-making within the State of Tennessee.
Have a project idea, but need to know how to get started? Please contact Christopher Turner at Christopher.Turner@tn.gov.
Relevant Links & Resources
The SFY2025 Notice of Intent phase is complete and Invitations to Apply were distributed on August 5th. The link to the application package is listed below:
- IMPROVE SFY2025 Program Fact Sheet
- IMPROVE SFY2025 Application (invitation only)
- Procurement Schedule - required for SFY2025 projects
IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant SFY2024 Awards
| Project Type | Applicant | Capital Transit Project | SFY2024 Award |
| Rolling Stock & Equipment | Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority | Replacement fareboxes and collection equipment to allow for diverse forms of payment. | $920,581 |
| Clarksville Transit System | Purchase of 2 replacement hybrid buses. | $1,600,000 | |
| Delta Human Resource Agency | Purchase of a Service Truck and assorted tools to support the maintenance of the Delta fleet on rural roadways. | $64,342 | |
| Gatlinburg Mass Transit System | Purchase of 5 replacement trolleys. | $1,491,972 | |
| RTA of Middle Tennessee | Purchase of software, hardware, and equipment for AVL, GPS, and real time arrival systems for WeGo Star rail vehicles | $800,000 | |
| South Central TN Development District | Purchase fleet-wide camera systems and upgrade to digital radio communications system. | $588,880 | |
| Infrastructure (Passenger-Facing) | Knoxville Area Transit | Engineering for bus stop improvements, building on an SFY2021 award for 25 stops. | $600,000 |
| Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (WeGo) | Construction of ped improvements and transit amenities at 4 sites, 3 along Trinity Lane and 1 on Murfreesboro Pike. | $2,400,000 | |
| Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (WeGo) | Engineering and cosntruction for bus stop sites that require easements, property acquisitions or extensive civil construction at locations on the High Injury Network. | $5,000,000 | |
| Facilities | First TN Human Resource Agency | Parking lot expansion at the maintenance facility for revenue vehicle storage. | $315,653 |
| Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (WeGo) | Additional funding for the Hickory Hollow Transit Center. | $2,500,000 | |
| Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency | Purchase of 3 vehicle lifts and 3 rolling jacks for the UCHRA Maintenance shop. | $48,000 | |
| IMPROVE SFY2024 Competitive Awards Total | $16,329,428 | ||
| Memphis Area Transportation Authority Bus Rapid Transit Advanced Commitment (May 2023) | $2,124,788 | ||
| TDOT Project Delivery & Program Administration | $300,000 | ||
| IMPROVE SFY2024 Grand Total | $18,754,216 | ||