The grant period is now closed.
Regional Transit Authorities can apply for grants for the creation or altering of routes that advance connectivity between existing public transportation routes
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- This page, FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant, is offered by
- Rail and Transit Division
FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
Contacts
Transit grants - MassDOT Rail & Transit
The Details of FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
What you need for FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
Under Section 1596-2406 of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Act, MassDOT has up to $10 million to award grants to Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) for the creation or altering of routes that advance connectivity between existing public transportation routes including, but not limited to, RTA routes and MBTA routes. Awards will be made on a competitive basis with funding provided contractually.
Eligible Projects: Funding will be provided for operating projects that address the following criteria:
- opportunities for increased ridership
- opportunities for increased total mileage covered in a single trip (i.e., coverage)
- opportunities to reach low-income individuals
Application Limits: RTAs may submit as many applications as they choose. Joint applications are encouraged. Joint applications of multiple RTAs seeking to connect their services, facilitate transfers, or provide coverage for areas between their service areas will receive bonus points.
How to apply FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
Steps
- Review the instructions
- Prepare your answers (see questions below)
- Download the budget template and fill it out
- Compile any attachments you will want to submit, such as letters of support
- Apply online through the online form
Next steps for FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
Questions
Here are the questions you will be asked to answer when you open the online form.
Basic Information
- Unique name of your proposed project
- Lead applicant RTA
- Additional partner RTAs, if applicable
- Main contact person name
- Main contact person email
- Main contact person phone number
- Proposed dates of service
Service Plan (15 points)
- Describe your proposed service.
- What routes or service areas does this proposed service connect?
- Are you proposing fixed-route, microtransit, dial-a-ride, or some other mode? Why is this mode the best choice for your proposed service?
- What is your plan and schedule for implementation?
Project Need (10 points)
- How do you know this is a need? Cite any studies such as the Comprehensive Regional Transportation Plans, Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plans, or others as well as rider surveys or requests from riders and potential riders.
Prioritization (15 points)
- Increasing ridership: what ridership do you expect on this service and how did you calculate that estimate?
- Increasing coverage: will this proposed service increase the area you are able to cover? What is the square mileage of the new area that will be served if this project is funded?
- Does your project prioritize low-income individuals? If so, describe how, and describe any partnerships with community-based organizations to help reach low-income riders for this service.
Evaluation (5 points)
- Successful applicants will be required to report on ridership on routes that are created or altered due to this grant funding, for a report MassDOT must submit to the legislature. How will you track this ridership?
- List any other ways you will track whether this pilot is successful.
Bonus Points (10 points)
- Bonus points available for joint application submitted between RTAs connecting their service
- Bonus points are available for an RTA looking to connect service with the MBTA, if the applicant takes step to collaborate with the MBTA, at minimum by reaching out to Glenn Geiler at ggeiler@mbta.com before submitting the application and sharing a draft scope/abstract and explanation of any role you anticipate for the MBTA. Please describe your collaboration attempts here.
Attachments
- Budget - use the budget template
- Letters of support - optional; please compile all letters of support into one PDF to submit together
- Additional attachments - optional; if you are submitting any, please compile them all into one PDF to submit together
Downloads for FY25 Transit Connectivity Grant
Open PDF file, 155.5 KB,
Transit Connectivity Request for Applications - 2025
(English, PDF 155.5 KB)
Open XLSX file, 19.41 KB,
Transit Connectivity Grant Budget Template - 2025
(English, XLSX 19.41 KB)