To
improve, initiate, or continue public transportation service in
nonurbanized areas by providing financial assistance for operating
and administrative expenses and for the acquisition, construction,
and improvement of facilities and equipment. Also to provide technical
assistance for rural transportation providers.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Section
5311 funding may be used for eligible capital expenses, project
administration, and operating expenses needed to provide efficient
and coordinated public transportation service in nonurbanized areas.
Projects must provide for the maximum feasible coordination of public
transportation sources assisted under this section with transportation
services assisted by other Federal sources, and must provide for
the maximum feasible participation of private operators. Fifteen
percent of the State's annual apportionment must be spent to support
rural intercity bus transportation, unless the governor certifies
that such needs are adequately met. Rural Transit Assistance Program
(RTAP) funds may be used for technical assistance, training, research,
and related support services.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Eligible recipient may include
State agencies, local public bodies and agencies thereof, nonprofit
organizations, Indian tribes, and operators of public transportation
services, including intercity bus service, in rural and small urban
areas. Private for-profit operators of transit or paratransit services
may participate in the program only through contracts with eligible
recipients. Urbanized areas, as defined by the Bureau of the Census,
are not eligible.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: The general public, both users
and nonusers, and private and public providers of public transportation
in nonurbanized areas.
Credentials/Documentation:
Costs will be determined in accordance with the Section 5311 Program
Guidance and Grant Application Instructions (FTA Circular 9040.1E)
issued October 1, 1998, and subsequent updates (based on OMB Circular
No. A-87). The documents and procedures required of applicants
are specified in the above guidance and in the State's application
procedure/management plan. Federal Register Notice "FTA Fiscal
Year 2001 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information"
contains the nonurbanized area formula apportionments in Table
5. For fiscal year 2001, the publication date was January 18,
2001. Prior year notices can be found at www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.
Pre-application
Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage
under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."
An applicant should consult the office or official designated as
the single point of contact in his or her State for more information
on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for
assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application
Procedure: Applicant should submit application
to the State agency designated by the Governor. This agency will
evaluate and select eligible applicants and submit a program of
projects to the Federal Transit Administration that reflect a
fair and equitable distribution of funds. Application for RTAP
funds is incorporated with the State Section 5311 application.
This program is subject to the provisions of 49 CFR, Part 18,
and 49 CFR Part 19 in the case of private nonprofit subrecipients.
Award
Procedure: The Federal Transit Administration
approves the State's program of projects. FTA is responsible for
providing notification of approval to the State designated agency.
Deadlines:
As prescribed by the State agency designated to administer the
Section 5311 program.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: As prescribed
by the State agency designated to administer the Section 5311
program. FTA approves grants on a quarterly release cycle.
Appeals:
Interested persons are afforded the opportunity of a public hearing
for capital projects.
Renewals:
As determined by the designated State agency.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: This program operates
under a statutory allocation formula to the States as prescribed
in 49 U.S.C., Chapter 53, Section 5311. The Federal share for eligible
capital and project administration costs shall not exceed 80 percent
of these costs; except projects designed specifically to increase
the accessibility of public transportation to bicycles may be funded
at 90 percent Federal share; vehicle related equipment required
to comply with ADA or the Clean Air Act may be funded at 90 percent
Federal match. The Federal share of the eligible operating deficit
shall not exceed 50 percent. Income from purchase of service contracts
with human service agencies may be used for the entire local share.
(Many programs of the Department of Health and Human Services and
other Federal agencies provide local match through purchase of service
contracts.) In addition, under provisions enacted in section 1103(i)
of TEA-21, current year funds can be transferred from the Federal
Highway Administration for capital projects under Nonurbanized Area
Formula Grants, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Section 5311.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Funds will
be apportioned annually to the States. Sums apportioned shall
be available for obligation by the State designated agency for
a period of 2 years following the close of the fiscal year for
which sums are apportioned, and amounts remaining unobligated
at the end of such period shall be apportioned among the States
for the succeeding fiscal year. States usually fund local recipients
on an annual cycle.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
As requested by the State and Federal agencies administering the
program. States submit annual reports to FTA.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133,
"Audits of States, Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend $300,000 or more in a year in
Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted
for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000
a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements
for that year, with certain exceptions as stated in OMB Circular
No. A-133.
Records:
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following
submission of the final expenditure report, all contract documents,
financial records, and supporting documents.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: FTA: 69-1129-0-1-401.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $214,218,000; FY 02 est $225,000,000; and FY 03
est $231,000,000. (In FY 01, $27,757,000 was transferred from
FHWA for capital projects under the Nonurbanized Area Formula
Grants.)
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable.
Since 1979 assistance has been provided to over 1,200 providers
of rural and small urban transportation.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
FTA Circular 9040.1E, Nonurbanized Area Formula Program Guidance
and Grant Application instructions.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for the address of Federal Transit Administration Regional Offices.
State Designated Agency: The Governor in each State has designated
a State agency to administer the Section 5311 program. This should
be the first contact point. Regional Offices: A person from each
Federal Transit Administration Regional Office is available to answer
questions about Federal regulations related to the Nonurbanized
Formula Program.
Headquarters
Office: Federal Transit Administration, Office
of Program Management, Office of Capital and Formula Assistance,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202)
366-2053.
Web
Site Address: http://www.fta.dot.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
A typical local recipient of Section 5311 operates a fleet of about
six vans or small buses in demand responsive and fixed route service.
Section 5311 provides replacement vehicles and covers about a quarter
of the average $316,000 annual operating budget. The State receives
Federal funds for a statewide program of projects.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
As described by the State designated agency in its procedures or
State management plan.
