Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (20.527)
Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (Assistance Listing 20.527) is run by the Federal Transit Administration, part of the Department of Transportation. It awarded $310 million in 62 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $5.0 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $910,008. Half of the 62 awards fell between $217,442 and $2.7 million, and they ranged from $10,223 to $327 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$310 million
- Grant awards62
- Typical award$910,008
- Awarded in FY 2025$378 million
- Size rank490 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary), project grants (special)
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $58.1 million in fiscal 2021 to $378 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 490th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 107% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 12 states and territories.
What the program funds
The Emergency Relief Program is intended to provide operating assistance and capital funding to aid recipients and sub-recipients in restoring public transportation service, and in repairing and reconstructing public transportation assets to a state of good repair, as expeditiously as possible following an emergency or major disaster.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
An entity that operates public transportation service in an area impacted by an emergency or major disaster, as defined by a gubernatorial or presidential declaration of such an emergency or disaster, and that receives federal transit funds directly from FTA.
What the money can and cannot pay for
The ER Program allows FTA to make grants for eligible public transportation capital and operating costs in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, that affects a wide area, and, as a result of which, the Governor of a State has declared an emergency or the President has declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Eligible projects include emergency operations, emergency repairs, permanent repairs, actual engineering and construction costs on eligible projects, and resiliency projects designed to protect rolling stock, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from future damage. Funds may only be used for capital and operating costs incurred by public transportation systems in response to a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, that affects a wide area, and, as a result of which, the Governor of a State has declared an emergency or the President has declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Reimbursable costs include emergency operations, emergency repairs, permanent repairs, actual engineering and construction costs on eligible projects, and resiliency projects designed to protect rolling stock, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from future damage.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. There is an 80% federal 20% non-federal match, subject to waiver by FTA.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Future obligations will be made in response to assessed needs and subject to the availability of program funds.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2016: Recovery projects include the replacement of water-damaged facilities and equipment for New York City Transit’s subway system and New Jersey Transit’s commuter rail network. Examples of resilience projects include the elevation of ventilation shafts for the Washington, DC Metro system and the protection of essential track, signal and power systems within the New York City subway system. Recovery projects include the replacement of water-damaged facilities and equipment for New York City Transit’s subway system and New Jersey Transit’s commuter rail network. Examples of resilience projects include the elevation of ventilation shafts for the Washington, DC Metro system and the protection of essential track, signal and power systems within the New York City subway system.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (20.527) awarded$310 million across 62 grant awards, an average of $5.0 million per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 61% of the money.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 47 | $189 million | 61% |
| Other | 15 | $122 million | 39% |
By state
9 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 28 | $148 million |
| New York | 4 | $55.5 million |
| New Jersey | 4 | $47.2 million |
| Missouri | 1 | $22.8 million |
| Florida | 6 | $17.4 million |
| Texas | 9 | $14.0 million |
| Alaska | 2 | $2.1 million |
| California | 1 | $1.2 million |
| North Carolina | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Kentucky | 2 | $757,800 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 2 | $564,531 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $222,081 |