Ohio Transit Partnership Program Grant

Ohio Transit Partnership Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ohio Department of Transportation
Last Updated: October 30, 2024

Summary

The Ohio Transit Partnership Program (OTP2) provides essential financial support to urban and rural public transit systems in Ohio, aiming to optimize state and federal funding utilization. It serves public transit agencies receiving FTA Section 5307 and 5311 funds, facilitating capital and operational projects. OTP2 prioritizes Tier I projects focused on preservation while also supporting innovative Tier II projects to enhance transit capabilities. This program ultimately strengthens Ohio's public transportation infrastructure.

Overview

Ohio Transit Partnership Program The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) provides financial assistance to urban public transit systems (section 5307 recipients) and rural public transit systems (section 5311 subrecipients) in Ohio through the Ohio Transportation Partnership Program (OTP2). The program’s goals are to facilitate the most efficient and effective use of state and federal funds in the provision of transportation services to Ohio’s public transit systems and to maximize the impact of the federal and state dollars available in Ohio.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants for the SFY2026 Ohio Transportation Partnership Program funds are Ohio public transit agencies receiving FTA Section 5307 and/or 5311 funds.Eligible Assistance All eligible agencies are permitted to apply for and receive GRF and flex funds through OTP2. Funding is awarded on a per-project basis at the discretion of the ODOT staff. Agencies may apply for capital, operating, and/or planning financial assistance. All flex fund awards are subject to FTA match requirements. Agencies may specify that a request is for assistance to match the non-federal portion of an FTA grant. However, requests for non-federal match assistance are more competitive and more likely to be prorated based on available funding.Project Types The OTP2 program criteria establishes two types of projects. Tier I projects focus on preservation and are defined by the process of working to maintain, sustain, or keep in a good sound state the transit systems in Ohio. Tier II projects are for innovation and new projects that expand an agency’s capabilities. Tier I Projects ODOT allocates a minimum of 60% of the funding within OTP2 to Tier I projects. Projects eligible under Tier I include but are not limited to:Revenue vehicle and railcar replacement Fixed guideway modernization and rehabilitation Facility renovation/rehabilitation/replacement Preventive/Capitalized maintenance services and equipment (Urban Only) Shop equipment and support vehicles Replacement/maintenance of existing hardware/software Non-Federal share operating assistance (Urban Only)  Tier II Projects ODOT allocates a maximum of 40% of the funding within OTP2 to Tier II projects. Projects eligible under Tier II include but are not limited to: Construction, design, and engineering of new multimodal facilities, transit hubs, etc. New rural facility requests are not eligible Construction, design, and engineering of fixed guideway Construction/Improvement of transit waiting environments Revenue vehicle expansion Alternative fuel infrastructure and planning New technology for vehicles, scheduling, dispatching, and/or rider experience Planning e.g. Transit Development Plans, feasibility studies, Bus Rapid Transit Initiatives to increase ridership, transit accessibility, and workforce access Multiyear Projects High-scoring projects may be eligible for funding from OTP2 for both the SFY26 and SFY27 program years. Applicants must determine and specify the estimated cost and scope over both years in their application. Evaluation criteria will apply as normal to these projects. Any future year commitments are subject to the availability of funds in the future year.