Section 5311 (Rural Area Grants)
Forecasted
Section 5311 (Rural Area Grants) supports Tennessee’s rural public transportation providers with funding for planning, capital, operations, and technical assistance to help residents reach their destinations.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Annual formula allocations; federal shares of 50%–85%, depending on activity
Summary: Supports public transportation in Tennessee’s rural areas through capital, operating, planning, administration, and technical assistance funding.
Key Information: General public transportation providers must serve rural areas with populations below 50,000.
Description
Section 5311, Formula Grants for Rural Areas, supports public transportation in areas with populations below 50,000, where many residents rely on transit to reach their destinations. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) administers the program with federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration. Eligible work includes administration, planning, capital investments, operations, and job access reverse commute projects. The program also supports state and national training and technical assistance through the Rural Transportation Assistance Program.
TDOT’s Public Transportation Section within the Office of Grants Administration oversees subrecipient projects from application and award through execution and closeout. The office provides guidance, documentation review, training, and technical assistance. Annual rural allocations are distributed by formula using population, general public ridership, and general public revenue miles.
