Transit Grant - Rural Area Formula Grant (ND)

The Rural Area Formula Grant (ND) provides crucial funding for public transportation in rural areas with populations under 50,000. It supports capital, maintenance, and operating assistance, helping residents access essential services. The program encourages intercity bus projects to enhance connectivity between metropolitan areas. Local matching funds are required, ensuring community investment in transportation projects. This initiative is managed by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, aiming to improve mobility for those reliant on public transit.

NOTE: Current transit agencies enrolled in the NDDOT Transportation program should go directly into the BlackCat Grant Management Transit Data Management System and complete their applications. Any new agency applying for funding should review the program eligibility information and the State Management Plan for Public Transportation. Contact the NDDOT Local Government Transit staff for assistance.
Here are the additional opportunities associated with this program -
Here is the Bus and Bus Facilities Program page.
Here is the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program page.
Section 5311 - This program provides capital (projects under $5,000), maintenance, project administration and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas, with a population less than 50,000 where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations. Funding is based on a formula that uses land area, population, and transit service. Eligible activities include planning, operating, job access and reverse commute projects and the acquisition of public transportation services.
Through this program, NDDOT conducts outreach with the goal of obligating approximately 15percent of all annual 5311 funds for intercity bus projects. Service is requested through a grant application process with the intent of funding projects that meet the following objectives:

• The service has meaningful intermodal connections;

The service project improves connectivity to, or between, major metropolitan areas that currently lack convenient or direct intercity bus service;The contractor demonstrates that they have the technical capacity, financial stability, marketing plan and requisite experience to be recipients of federal funds
Funding
Administration, Operating, Maintenance, and Capital projects must have a local match. Local Match can only be obligated to one project. Minimum Matching Ratios for each category is as follows:

• Operating – 50% FTA and 50% Local
• Administration – 80% FTA and 20% Local
• Capital – 80% FTA and 20% Local