How to Navigate $1.5B in FTA Grants
- Tom Kenny
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Every year, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) moves billions to modernize public transit, supporting everything from buses and light rail to ferries and trolleys. But not all of that funding comes automatically. A significant portion, like the $1.5 billion currently on the table is competitive.
That means if you're a public transit provider, municipality, or tribal government, now’s your chance. But the process can be daunting.
I've spent two decades helping agencies unlock FTA grants, and here's the truth: success isn't about who needs it most. It’s about who’s ready to act, follow the rules, and tell their story clearly.
Let me walk you through what actually matters—without the federal jargon.
What DO FTA Grants Fund?
FTA has opened two of its biggest competitive programs for FY 2025:
Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No)
Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program (Bus Program)
Together, they offer over $1.5 billion for:
Purchasing or leasing low- and zero-emission transit buses
Upgrading or building bus maintenance and fueling facilities
Rehabilitating or expanding your fleet and infrastructure
Supporting workforce development for new transit technologies
These are capital grants designed to help public systems modernize—whether you're replacing diesel buses, expanding service in rural areas, or upgrading facilities to support electric or hydrogen fleets.
Who Can Apply?
You're eligible for one or both FTA grants programs if you are:
A designated recipient of FTA funds
A state or territory
A local government
A federally recognized Indian tribe
A nonprofit engaged in public transit (Bus Program only)
Note: For rural projects (except tribal), your state must submit the application, either individually or as part of a consolidated request.
What’s the Deadline?
Applications are due July 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
But here’s the real deadline: you have about two weeks to get under contract with a grant support partner like GMA. We typically need ~30 days for a full application. If you just need review and feedback, we can move faster—but time is tight.
What Do You Need to Submit?
Applications must include:
SF-424 Federal Assistance Form
Supplemental Program Form (project narrative, budget, impact)
Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Plan (if applicable)
Letters of financial commitment or match documentation
Additional planning documents or letters of support
We help clients package all of this to align with FTA’s exact scoring criteria—no fluff, no missteps, and no guesswork.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Underestimating Workforce Development Requirements: If you’re requesting funds for a zero-emission project, 5% of your federal request must go toward workforce training—unless you formally request an exception.
2. Ignoring Spare Ratio Rules: Fleet expansions must adhere to FTA’s spare ratio policy. If you’re adding vehicles, you'll need to justify the need and align with regional fleet planning guidance.
3. Forgetting That Scale Matters: You don’t have to ask for the moon. FTA wants to fund a range of projects. If your project is scalable, clearly define what you’d do with full vs. partial funding.
How GMA Can Help
At GMA, we’ve supported more than $1.5 billion in non-dilutive funding wins. We work with transit agencies, cities, and nonprofit operators to:
Validate eligibility
Shape winning narratives
Calculate cost shares and match
Develop complete application packages
Align with FTA’s evaluation criteria
Whether you're starting from scratch or refining a near-final draft, we can help.
Ready to Apply?
This isn’t just paperwork. These federal transit administration grants are a once-a-year chance to secure major capital support for cleaner, smarter, more equitable transit. Let’s make it happen—together. We’re currently onboarding clients for LoNo and Bus Program support through July 1. If you have a project in mind, let’s talk now.
Tell Us About Your Project HERE
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