Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Competitive Program

What's New

• FTA announced the award of approximately $9.6 million to 26 projects in 14 states in FY24 Tribal Transit competitive grant funding.

Program Overview

Federal public transportation law (49 USC 5311(c)(1)(A)) authorizes the competitive amount of the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit Program or TTP) Program. The TTP is a set-aside from the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program that includes a formula program and a competitive grant program.

2023 Tribal Consultation

As part of FTA’s commitment to ensure programs and policies are responsive to the needs and concerns of Indian Tribes and Tribal Leaders, FTA conducted a consultation and requested comments related to the Tribal Transit Program (TTP). Specifically, FTA consulted with Tribal recipients to ensure the TTP is being administered in a beneficial manner following increases in the amount of funding available and increases in the number of Tribes participating, as well as other changes related to the program. 

FTA sought comments on FTA’s Tribal Transit competitive grants program and technical assistance and published Responses to Comments in June 2024.

Project Selections

• FY2024: $9,636,048
• FY2023: $9,912,656 
• FY2022: $8,635,124
• FY2021: $10,360,657
• FY 2020: $7,720,321
• FY 2019: $4,954,078
• FY 2018: $4,998,028
• FY 2017: $4,975,528
• FY 2016: $5,000,000
• FY 2014-2015: $10,018,000

Eligible Recipients

Eligible applicants include federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribes as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This list can be found at: https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-leaders-directory/federally-recognized-tribes.

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. All activities eligible under Section 5311 are also eligible under the TTP.

FTA Regional Tribal Liaisons

Federal Transit Administration's Regional Tribal Liaisons

Coordination with Federal Programs

FTA’s Tribal Transit Program 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).

Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL)

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. Participating FTA-funded technical assistance centers include:

• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
• National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
• National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
• National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
• Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)