Overview

The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, also referred to as Tribal Transit Program (TTP), provides funds for planning, public transportation capital projects, operating costs, job access reverse commute projects, and the acquisition of public transportation service to tribes located in rural areas (those with a population under 50,000). TTP is funded as a takedown from the Section 5311 program, and is a set-aside from the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program that includes a formula program and a competitive grant program.

Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(B)) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Section 300076, authorizes the formula amount of TTP for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-2026.

Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program

The Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) provides federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations with greater control, flexibility, and decision-making authority over DOT funds used to carry out tribal transportation programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs) in tribal communities.

The TTSGP also affords tribes and tribal organizations with specific rights and federal resources to implement and support their Self-Governance program. Learn more about TTSGP.

Funding Availability and Allocation

Five percent of Rural Formula (Section 5311) funding is available for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations program. 20 percent of the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations funds must be distributed on a competitive basis, while the remainder must be apportioned by formula.

FTA apportions TTP formula funds to Indian tribes using a statutory formula based on the latest U.S. Census data and information reported by the National Transit Database (NTD). In order to receive formula funds, a tribe must report to the NTD on an annual basis.

The three tiers under the formula include:

1. Tier 1: 50 percent of the available funds are apportioned based on vehicle revenue miles;
2. Tier 2: 25 percent of the available funds are apportioned among Indian tribes providing at least two hundred thousand annual vehicle revenue miles; and
3. Tier 3: 25 percent of the available funds are apportioned among Indian tribes providing public transportation on tribal lands where more than one thousand low-income persons reside.

Apportionments

•    FY 2025: $37,555,590
•    FY 2024: $37,952,037
•    FY 2023: $36,413,211

View current or archived apportionments to access detailed information.

Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients are federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribes as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). However, tribes which are not federally recognized remain eligible to apply to the state as a subrecipient for funding under the state's apportionment.

Eligible Activities

Federally recognized tribes may use the funding for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses for public transit projects that meet the growing needs of rural tribal communities.

Examples of eligible activities include: capital projects; operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation; and the acquisition of public transportation services, including service agreements with private providers of public transportation services.

Match

There is no local match required under the formula program.

Additional Information

Coordination with Federal Programs

FTA’s TTP allows grantees to coordinate and assist in regularly providing meal delivery service for homebound individuals, if the delivery service does not conflict with providing public transportation service or reduce service to public transportation passengers. Learn more about the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).

FTA Regional Tribal Liaisons

Federal Transit Administration's Regional Tribal Liaisons

Technical Assistance

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA.

For additional technical assistance information and resources, visit the FTA-Sponsored Technical Assistance, Training, and Research Resource Programs webpage.