Rural Transit Program

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Rural Transit Program Overview

Name of Program: Rural Transit Program, as authorized by the Federal Transit Administration, 49 USC Section 5311.

Funding: $12.9M Federal Operating Assistance, $5.15M Federal Capital Assistance and $3.8M State Operating Assistance for Federal Fiscal Year 2006.

Program Goal and Brief Description: Federal and State funds are used to assist with operating and capital expenses in the provision of general public transportation services in rural and small urban areas.  Section 5311 funds can be used for up to 50% of the net project cost of operating expenses and up to 80% of the cost of capital projects.  State General Revenue funds, through the Ohio Public Transportation Grant Program, are also available to provide up to 30% of eligible operating costs and up to 10% of the costs of capital projects.

Who Can Apply?: Counties, Municipalities, Villages, Regional Transit Authorities, County Transit Boards, Private Nonprofit Corporations designated by a county or municipality and a County or Municipal department on behalf of a county, municipality or village.

Application Process: Existing grantees receive an annual allocation of Federal and State operating funds for which they can apply each year.  ODOT uses a performance-based allocation to annually allocate State and Federal operating funds based on three factors: annual revenue miles of service, ridership, and local funds.  Capital funds are discretionary and are approved based on a system's Four-Year Capital and Operating Plan.  Applications on behalf of new systems are accepted on a funding availability basis.  Applications are due each September for the following calendar year.  A combined application can be submitted for capital and operating assistance.

Contact Person: Brett Harris, Rural Program Coordinator (614) 466-7440 or brett.harris@dot.state.oh.us