FTA unveils FY2018 apportionments document

Yesterday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a notice in the Federal Register about its fiscal-year 2018 apportionments, which include policies, procedures, streamlining activities, authorized funding levels, program details and funding availability.

The notice details $13.4 billion in formula and competitive funding for the FTA's 2,000 public transportation grant recipients through Sept. 30, 2018.

In May, the FTA published FY2018 apportionment tables on its website. About $10 billion of the funding is apportioned by formulas based on population, transit ridership and other data. FY2018's total funding represents an increase of 8 percent over FY2017 levels.

The Federal Register notice also details the agency's efforts to streamline federal requirements and solicit input through an online dialogue exploring how to best define a "federal" project, FTA officials said in an emailed announcement.

"As part of a comprehensive review of regulations and guidance, the dialogue will help the FTA identify opportunities to expedite transit infrastructure funding," they said. "The online dialogue poses questions to help the FTA review the thresholds for defining whether a project qualifies as federally funded and subject to various federal requirements, reviews and oversight."