California’s 2022 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program highlights microtransit as an eligible use case: call for applications opens on Nov. 19

The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) was created to fund transformative capital improvements that modernize California’s intercity rail, bus, and ferry transit system. This year, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) guidelines have made it clear that microtransit projects are included in the definition of transit and are eligible for TIRCP funding, particularly projects that help Californians bridge the “first- and last-mile” barrier to transit and reduce their reliance on single occupancy vehicles.

CalSTA will provide $500-600M in funding to selected projects for TIRCP. Eligible applicants include any public agencies that operate or have planning responsibility over existing or planned rail, bus, or ferry service, including commuter bus, vanpool, and microtransit services. Both software and hardware related to microtransit are eligible for funding, including purchased or leased vehicles. Any ongoing operational expenses for microtransit can be covered by California’s Low Carbon Transportation Options Program (LCTOP). 

This year, CalSTA plans to fund a small number of transformative projects that will significantly reduce vehicle miles traveled, congestion, and GhG emissions. Additionally, CalSTA wants to see projects that maximize benefits to disadvantaged and low-income communities. CalSTA has emphasized that extending access beyond fixed route services using microtransit is a valuable strategy to expanding transit benefits, especially when combined with other program elements that provide priority population benefits. 

Potential projects include: 

• Bus rapid transit and other bus and ferry transit investments, including vanpool and microtransit services operated as public transit and first/last mile solutions.
• Rail, bus, and ferry integration implementation including:
  • Integrated ticketing and scheduling systems.
  • Projects enabling shared-use corridors.
  • Related planning efforts focused on delivery of integrated transit service not requiring major capital investments.
• Large-scale deployment of zero-emission vehicles in transit systems.

TIRCP applicants can partner with private companies to develop, propose, and deliver projects. If you’re interested in working with us on an TIRCP grant application, we’d love to chat!

Please reach out to partnerships@ridewithvia.com. Applications open on November 19th and close on March 3, 2022 — with important CalSTA technical review workshops in December and January. 

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