MTC distributes money to Bay Area transit agencies from many different sources, including the Federal Transit Administration.
Among the funding tools MTC uses to help modernize our region’s transit network are the FTA’s Section 5303, Section 5307, Section 5309, Section 5310 and Section 5311 programs.
FTA 5303
The FTA distributes Section 5303 Metropolitan Planning Program funds to regions based on both population and an agency formula. More than 20 Bay Area transit agencies request Section 5303 funds to help finance development of their Short Range Transit Plans.
FTA 5307
The FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Funding program can be used to finance up to 80 percent of project costs for a wide range of transit investments, including:
- Operating assistance
- Construction of maintenance and passenger facilities
- Vehicle replacement and rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation of tracks, signals, communications and computer systems
- Planning, engineering design and project evaluation
- Crime prevention and security equipment
Funding through the Section 5307 is based on formulas established by Congress that incorporate population, transit ridership, revenue-service mileage and other factors. Section 5307 funds can be used to cover up to 90 percent of costs for bicycle-related projects and investments to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act.
FTA 5309
FTA Section 5309 Capital Investment Grants are earmarked by Congress. These include:
- New Starts grants of $75 million or more
- Small Starts grants up to $75 million
- Core Capacity grants to expand capacity on existing transit systems
Get the facts, the details, and info on eligible projects when you download FTA's overview.
FTA 5310
Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities funds are distributed to states to provide grants for nonprofit agencies that provide transportation services to the elderly or people with disabilities.
FTA 5311
The FTA’s Section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas program provides funds for both transit capital projects and transit operations in non-urbanized areas.
There are eligible communities in every Bay Area county except San Francisco.
To determine if your area is eligible for FTA 5311, download this map of large and small urbanized areas.
Call for Projects: FTA Section 5311 Rural Operator Program
- Call for Projects
- Attachment A1: FY19 5311 Project Justification Sheets
- Attachment A2: FY20 5311 Project Justification Sheets
- Attachment B: FTA Section 5311 Nonurbanized Area Formula Program Funding Objectives and Criteria
- Attachment C: FTA Section 5311 Rural Area Formula Funds Program Process and Timeline
- Attachment D: Map of Large Urbanized Areas
- Attachment E: Section 5311 - FY2019 & FY2020 Estimates by Operator
Two major Bay Area transit projects are advancing with New Starts funding from the FTA’s Section 5309 Capital Investment Grants program:
- San Francisco Muni Central Subway
- BART Silicon Valley Extension — Warm Springs to Berryessa (East San Jose)
Bay Area bus rapid transit projects are getting a boost with Small Starts grants from the FTA. These include:
- AC Transit Bus Rapid Transit — Oakland to San Leandro
- San Francisco Muni Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit