Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program (20.528)
Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program (Assistance Listing 20.528) is run by the Federal Transit Administration, part of the Department of Transportation. It awarded $193 million in 117 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $1.7 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $1.1 million. Half of the 117 awards fell between $567,235 and $1.9 million, and they ranged from $154,701 to $9.5 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$193 million
- Grant awards117
- Typical award$1.1 million
- Awarded in FY 2025$51.3 million
- Size rank612 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceFormula grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $30.3 million in fiscal 2021 to $51.3 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 612th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 90% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 30 states and territories.
What the program funds
To improve public transportation safety by assisting States with the financing of safety oversight of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems in the jurisdiction of the state not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration.
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
Eligible States are those with a rail fixed guideway public transportation system within the jurisdiction of the State that is not subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration; or a rail fixed guideway public transportation system in the engineering or construction phase of development within the jurisdiction of the State that will not be subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration. Subrecipients must be public agencies that are eligible to become Federal Transit Administration recipients.
What the money can and cannot pay for
SSO funds may be used for: - personnel costs - training and certification -travel and field work -equipment and supplies -safety oversight activities - administration and indirect costs The funds may only be used to provide grants to States for State safety oversight program expenses. The Federal grants shall be for 80 percent of the reasonable cost to develop or carry out such a program, and the matching fund shall include in-kind contributions by an eligible State. The match may not be met by any Federal funds, any funds received from a public transportation agency or any revenues earned by a public transportation agency. The use of the funds shall be subject to uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to State and local governments under part 18 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as well as other requirements for funds provided under Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, except to the extent that the Secretary of Transportation determines that the requirements are inconsistent with the purpose of the grants.;
Matching requirements
Statutory Formula: Title USC 49, Part 5329, Subpart (e),Public Law IIJA.USC 4980% Federal / 20% State. Matching fund shall include in-kind contributions by an eligible State. The non-Federal share may not be met by any Federal funds, any funds received from a public transportation agency or any revenues earned by a public transportation agency. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Formula funding is provided to the State Safety Oversight Agencies. They are prohibited from provided the funding directly to the rail transit agencies. The funding can be used for administrative expenses such as training, travel, and equipment. The range varies depending on the size of the State. If you have questions, you can contact FTA's Regional Office at the link below https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2016: The funding provided for the State Safety Oversight Program (SSO) is not for actual projects. The federal funds provided through the SSO Formula Grant Program allows for eligible states to develop or carry out their SSO programs. Examples of the various activities will continue from those provided in 2015. The funding provided for the State Safety Oversight Program (SSO) is not for actual projects. The federal funds provided through the SSO Formula Grant Program allows for eligible states to develop or carry out their SSO programs. The SSO attended the Annual SSO workshop and they conducted SSO triennial audits of their Rail Transit Agencies (RTA) they oversee. Some SSO’s conducted Safety and Security Readiness Reviews (SSRR) of new projects and extensions at their RTAs. Many completed TSI training and they continue to work towards Certification.Fiscal Year2024: The funding provided for the State Safety Oversight Program (SSO) is not for actual projects. The federal funds provided through the SSO Formula Grant Program allows for eligible states to develop or carry out their SSO programs. More than 700 transit agencies around the United States have certified that they now have safety plans that are updated when needed to help keep riders and employees safe on their transit systems.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program (20.528) awarded $193 million across 117 grant awards, an average of $1.7 million per award.
Who usually wins
Almost all of the money went to state and local governments.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 117 | $193 million | 100% |
By state
29 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 5 | $30.5 million |
| New York | 5 | $18.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 11 | $17.7 million |
| Illinois | 2 | $13.4 million |
| Texas | 6 | $12.4 million |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $10.6 million |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $9.7 million |
| Washington | 5 | $6.7 million |
| Maryland | 3 | $6.7 million |
| Florida | 3 | $6.7 million |
| New Jersey | 5 | $6.6 million |
| Georgia | 5 | $6.2 million |
| Missouri | 5 | $5.1 million |
| Oregon | 2 | $4.8 million |
| Arizona | 5 | $4.1 million |
| North Carolina | 4 | $3.8 million |
| Ohio | 4 | $3.4 million |
| Tennessee | 3 | $2.9 million |
| Louisiana | 3 | $2.8 million |
| Utah | 3 | $2.7 million |
| Colorado | 4 | $2.6 million |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $2.5 million |
| Puerto Rico | 5 | $2.2 million |
| Arkansas | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Virginia | 5 | $1.8 million |
| West Virginia | 4 | $1.8 million |
| Michigan | 1 | $1.7 million |
| Hawaii | 3 | $1.7 million |
| Minnesota | 2 | $1.2 million |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $489,212 |