5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas

The Formula Grants for Rural Areas program, managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation, enhances public transportation in rural communities with populations under 50,000. It funds operations, capital projects, and planning efforts, distributing funds every two years based on a formula that considers base amount, passenger trips, and service miles. Eligible recipients include local governments and non-profits dedicated to improving mobility management and transit services in these underserved areas.

This program supports rural public transportation providers operating in areas with populations of fewer than 50,000 by financing operations, capital, project administration, preventive maintenance, planning, and mobility management projects.
The majority of funds are distributed every two years to pre-qualified agencies through a three-part formula which includes a base amount, passenger trips, and service miles.

Eligibility

Eligible recipientsSection 5311 funds are distributed to prequalified subrecipients operating transit services in rural communities with populations of fewer than 50,000 people. This includes local governments, non-profit organizations, and tribal governments.Eligible projectsSection 5311 funds may be used for administration, operations, preventive maintenance, mobility management, and capital projects that support public transportation in rural areas.Federal/local match:Capital, administration, preventive maintenance, planning, and mobility management projects: 89.73/10.27% Operations: 56.08/43.92%