With more than $1 billion in funding opportunities currently on the table in California, it’s an exciting time for public transit. Our grants team is here with a practical guide on where to focus, how to position your project to be competitive, and what it takes to turn funding into a launched or expanded service that actually delivers.
TIRCP: the biggest opportunity for transit projects over $10M
The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, or TIRCP, is the largest opportunity in the mix, with more than $900 million available. It supports capital projects that improve transit, strengthen mobility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One important nuance: through the Capital Cost of Contracting rule, turnkey operating contracts can be funded at 50 percent, which gives agencies more flexibility than they might expect.
Best fit for:
Agencies pursuing a substantial transit project with clear ridership, equity, and emissions benefits.
What strengthens an application:
Electric vehicle fleets, credible ridership projections, and a clear implementation path.
TCC: best when transit is part of a broader community strategy
Transformative Climate Communities is not a transit-only program. With more than $120 million available and implementation grants of $25 million or more, it is built for larger, multi-part efforts in disadvantaged communities. Transit can fit here, including microtransit, but usually as one piece of a broader package.
Best fit for:
Municipalities pursuing a place-based investment strategy in disadvantaged communities.
What strengthens an application:
A strong case for how transit supports larger environmental, health, or economic goals.
SANDAG Flexible Fleets: a direct path for microtransit in San Diego
For agencies in the San Diego region, Flexible Fleets is one of the most targeted opportunities on the table. It is designed to support projects that expand shared mobility, improve transit connections, and fill service gaps. Awards go up to $1 million for pilot programs and $500,000 for expansions.
Best fit for:
SANDAG-region agencies with a clear microtransit or shared mobility use case.
What strengthens an application:
Evidence of the gap, alignment with the SANDAG Regional Plan, operational readiness, and a solid monitoring plan.
LA Visionary Seed Fund: a targeted option for first- and last-mile pilots
The LA Visionary Seed Fund is smaller, but highly relevant for cities and agencies in Los Angeles County. It is especially focused on microtransit that closes first- and last-mile gaps and connects riders to major bus and rail hubs. Earlier awards in Torrance and West Covina point to the kind of projects the fund is looking to support: focused pilots that replace or supplement underperforming fixed routes. Round 2 is expected later in 2026.
Best fit for:
LA-area microtransit pilots with a clear first- or last-mile purpose.
What strengthens an application:
A focused pilot, a clear connection problem, an equity lens, and measurable outcomes.
What about other programs?
These are not the only funding opportunities worth tracking. Programs like LCTOP, AHSC, and federal earmarks can also play an important role, especially when transit is part of a larger investment strategy or when agencies are combining multiple funding sources.
The key is not to chase everything. It is to focus on the opportunities that actually match your project, your geography, and your ability to move.
Want help assessing fit?
Meet with Via’s grants team to talk through your project, identify the strongest funding paths, and get clear on what it would take to put forward a competitive application.
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