# Federal Transit Formula Grants (20.507)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/20-507-federal-transit-formula-grants/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

Federal Transit Formula Grants is run by Department of Transportation. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $79 billion in 5,068 grants, about $15.6 million per award.

## Objectives

Provide federal formula funding to transit agencies, states, and local/regional governments to plan, develop, improve, maintain, and operate public transportation systems in urbanized areas (as defined by the most recent decennial census as urban areas with populations of 50,000 or more). Eligible uses include capital projects, planning, and operating assistance to support regular, continuing shared?ride public transportation services that are open to the general public or defined segments of the public (e.g., by age, disability, or low income).
The program also includes a ferry set?aside (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) to support ferry services and related infrastructure in urbanized areas when those ferries are part of the recipient’s public transportation system. Projects must meet standard 5307 eligibility requirements (i.e., serve public transportation needs, not solely tourism, and benefit residents of the urbanized area). Separate competitive Assistance Listings (20.540, 20.538, and 20.539) cover other federal ferry funding opportunities.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20 billion | 1,225 |
| 2022 | $32 billion | 1,145 |
| 2023 | $9.1 billion | 1,130 |
| 2024 | $8.2 billion | 1,000 |
| 2025 | $9.8 billion | 1,054 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority | New York | $17 billion |
| New Jersey Transit Corporation | New Jersey | $4.9 billion |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | California | $3.5 billion |
| Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | District of Columbia | $2.8 billion |
| Chicago Transit Authority | Illinois | $2.4 billion |
| Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority | Massachusetts | $2.0 billion |
| Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority | Pennsylvania | $1.8 billion |
| Department of Transportation Connecticut | Connecticut | $1.6 billion |
| San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District | California | $1.5 billion |
| City & County of San Francisco | California | $1.3 billion |
| Maryland Transit Administration | Maryland | $1.2 billion |
| Northeast Illinois Railroad Co | Illinois | $1.2 billion |
| Metropolitan Council Minnesota | Minnesota | $1.0 billion |
| Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County | Texas | $888 million |
| King County Metro Transit | Washington | $875 million |
| Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon | Oregon | $837 million |
| Regional Transportation District | Colorado | $807 million |
| Dallas Area Rapid Transit Inc | Texas | $774 million |
| County of Miami-Dade | Florida | $767 million |
| Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority | Washington | $712 million |