Funding BRT in the U.S.

FY'08 Federal BRT Funding Status (updated as of September 2007) The FY 2008 FTA New Starts Annual Report, which reviews all transit projects in the pipeline for FTA funding, includes ten BRT or rapid bus projects -- the most ever.  Seven are recommended for fiscal year 2008 funding in the Administration's budget request while three are working toward securing FTA grants. Small Starts projects: Four BRT or rapid bus projects are recommended for Small Starts funding, the program created to fund low-cost fixed guideway or dedicated right-of-way projects like BRT, rapid bus or streetcars.  The projects, and the FTA's recommended funding, are: -- Los Angeles Metro Rapid Bus System Gap Closure:  $16.68 million FTA request Los Angeles Metro requested 65% of the $25.7 million project budget to build the final eight corridors in the Metro Rapid network. -- Kansas City Troost Corridor:  $6.26 million FTA request FTA has committed to providing 80% of this $30.73 million project to add a second line to Kansas City's MAX rapid bus service.  Corridor ridership is expected to increase 20%. -- Springfield, Oregon Pioneer Parkway EmX:  $14.8 FTA request The Lane Transit District will build the second EmX line for $37 million, with FTA paying for 80%.  Corridor ridership is expected to increase by 40%. -- King County, Washington Pacific Highway South BRT:  $14.08 FTA request FTA will fund 56% of the $25.1 budget to build an 11-mile BRT route, which is projected to attract 8,200 average daily riders. The Troost Corridor, EmX and King County projects are all Very Small Starts.  In May 2007, FTA announced it would expedite funding for the Troost Corridor and Pioneer Parkway. New Starts projects: FTA requested $72 million for six projects which may become eligible for funding in FY'08.  Three of the eligible projects are BRT or busway projects: -- Hartford/New Britain Busway in Connecticut -- North Corridor BRT and Southeast Corridor BRT, in, Houston, TX Three more BRT projects are in the FTA pipeline, but are not ready for FY'08 funding: -- Boston Silver Line Phase III -- Urban Transitway Phase II in Stamford, CT -- Downtown Service Enhancement in Jacksonville, FL The Jacksonville and Stamford projects are both under $50 million, so they are exempt from the New Starts evaluation process. You can find the full FY'08 New Starts report at  the FTA's website. Final appropriations FTA's funding requests are subject to the annual Congressional appropriations process.  You can track the FY'08 transportation bill here.  As of September 2007, the House and Senate have passed transportation appropriations bills, but have not reconciled them.  The House bill restores Small Starts funding to $200 million.

Go to: New Starts Small Starts FY'08 Funding Updates Other Federal Funding Options State and Local Funding Private Funding

Los Angeles will use FY'08 Small Starts funding to build eight Metro Rapid lines, completing the successful rapid bus network.  The agency expects 40,000 new riders.

The Lane Transit District will use Small Starts funding to build its second EmX line, the Pioneer Parkway.  The first line, the Franklin EmX or Green Line shown above, opened in January 2007 and has significantly increased corridor ridership.

Next:  Other Federal Funding