U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $7.7 Million in Tribal Transit Grant Awards to 25 Tribal Governments to Improve Public Transportation
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $7.7 million in Tribal Transit Program grant awards to 25 tribal governments for projects to improve public transportation on tribal lands.
“These federal grants will help American Indian and Alaskan Native tribal governments provide public transportation in rural areas, connecting tribal residents with jobs, healthcare and other essential services,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Tribal Transit Program makes funds available to federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities to support capital projects, operating costs, and planning activities for public transportation services on and around tribal lands.
“The Federal Transit Administration is committed to partnering with tribal residents to support their transportation needs,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “We’re proud to invest in their transit systems which provide access to critical services, which is particularly important during the public health emergency.”
Examples of selected projects include:
- The Noorvik Native Community, in Noorvik, Alaska will receive $1,830,000 to build a storage facility to house its paratransit fleet. This project will improve safety, reliability and ensure a continuation of services for its tribal members in Noorvik.
- The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska will receive $528,617 to expand the Winnebago Tribal Transit Maintenance Facility. This project will address state of good repair needs and help the tribe continue to provide safe and reliable transit service to help residents access jobs, school and community services in Sioux City and South Sioux City.
- The Mescalero Apache Tribe in New Mexico will receive $523,693 to maintain transit services and purchase a mobile snow plow. The project supports the continuity of services for tribal members by connecting them to employment, healthcare and social services throughout South Central New Mexico.
In addition to the competitive funding announced today, FTA provides $30 million in formula funding to tribes each fiscal year through the Tribal Transit Formula Grant program.
