New Starts Program

New Starts

The Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) discretionary New Starts program is the federal government’s primary financial resource for supporting locally-planned, implemented, and operated transit “guideway” capital investments. From heavy to light rail, from commuter rail to bus rapid transit systems, the FTA’s New Starts program has helped to make possible hundreds of new or extended transit fixed guideway systems across the country. These rail and bus investments, in turn, have improved the mobility of millions of Americans; have helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the areas they serve; and have fostered the development of viable, safer, and more livable communities.

For more information the FTA New Starts program – click here.

Small Starts

The Section 5309 Capital Investment Grants program now includes a new project category called “Small Starts.”  These projects are low cost projects that qualify for a highly simplified project evaluation and rating process by FTA.

In order to qualify as a Small Start, the total project cost must be less than $250 million, with no greater than $75 million in requested Section 5309 Capital Investment Grant funding. In addition, a project must meet one of the following guideway criteria:

  1. Be a fixed guideway for at least 50% of the project length in the peak period –AND/OR-
  2. Be a corridor-based bus project with the following minimum elements:
  • Substantial Transit Stations
  • Signal Priority/Pre-emption (for Bus/LRT)
  • Low Floor / Level Boarding Vehicles
  • Special Branding of Service
  • Frequent Service – 10 min peak/15 min off peak
  • Service offered at least 14 hours per day

Very Small Starts

The Section 5309 Capital Investment Grants program now includes a new project category called “Very Small Starts.”  These projects are simple, low-risk projects that qualify for a highly simplified project evaluation and rating process by FTA.

In order to qualify for the streamlined Very Small Starts evaluation and rating process, a project must be a bus, rail or ferry project and contain the following features:

  • Transit Stations
  • Signal Priority/Pre-emption (for Bus/LRT)
  • Low Floor / Level Boarding Vehicles
  • Special Branding of Service
  • Frequent Service – 10 min peak/15 min off peak
  • Service offered at least 14 hours per day
  • Existing corridor ridership exceeding 3,000/day
  • Less then $50 million total cost
  • Less then $3 million per mile (excluding vehicles)