The 2024 Notice of Funding Availability for FTA Section 5305(e) Transit Planning provides details about grant funding offered by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to support transit planning across the state. Administered by ADOT’s Multimodal Planning Division (MPD), the funding is targeted toward Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Councils of Governments (COGs) in Arizona. Eligible projects include rural and regional transit development, small urban transit planning, and initiatives addressing underserved communities.
Approximately $1.56 million in funding is available for Federal Fiscal Years 2021–2024. Grant awards are expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000, with federal match rates of 80% federal / 20% local or 94.3% federal / 5.7% local, depending on project specifics and applicant contributions. Each eligible COG or MPO can submit up to three applications, with one project per application. Local public agencies, tribes, and transit operators may participate in collaboration with eligible lead applicants but cannot apply directly.
Applications must align with ADOT’s planning goals, which include advancing rural transit initiatives, regional planning efforts, and addressing the needs of underserved communities, particularly those with high populations of elders, low-income households, or individuals with limited English proficiency. Applicants must provide clear project purposes, supporting documentation, and demonstrate local support, including proof of local matching funds.
The application process requires electronic submissions by 3 PM MST on January 7, 2025, to TransitGroup@azdot.gov. Applicants must use the official 2024 Planning Application PDF Fillable Form, with all supporting documents in PDF format following specified naming conventions. Additionally, applicants must maintain active registration in SAM.gov throughout the grant period.
Applications will be evaluated by a panel based on their community and regional benefits, alignment with ADOT’s priorities, and strength of local support. ADOT will host an application webinar on November 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM MST to assist applicants, and preliminary awards are expected to be announced in February 2025.
For further assistance, applicants can contact Aubree Perry, ADOT Assistant Transit Manager, at aperry2@azdot.gov or 480-745-5367. This funding opportunity is a significant resource for Arizona communities seeking to enhance transit planning and address mobility needs effectively.
