Transit Strategic Partnerships Program

The Transit Strategic Partnerships Program for the North Central Texas Region is now accepting proposals. Each year, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awards approximately $130 million in funding to public transportation providers in North Texas. The Regional Transportation Council’s policy is to set aside two percent for Transit Strategic Partnerships projects. Approximately $11.8 million in federal funds is currently available to award for eligible transit projects.

Through this program, staff will review proposals for innovative transit projects and solutions. Types of eligible projects will vary by funding type. Click here to learn more about types of funding available for transit initiatives in the region. 

Application Cycle Overview   

Due to the eligibility requirements for each of these funding sources, the projects considered must be with a local government, operator of public transportation, or a nonprofit organization. If you do not fit into one of these categories, you may still submit a project idea, but a partnership with an eligible entity will be necessary for project development and implementation if selected. The program is accepting project ideas on a rolling basis, and the evaluation cycles coincide directly with TIP modification deadlines. 

Click here to learn more about the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Project Proposal

Current Application Cycle Opened:   June 1, 2023
Deadline to Submit Fully Developed Proposal for Current Cycle:   November 30, 2023

Proposal Development Process

  • Fill out the Project Initiation form. *
  • Upon receipt of your Project Initiation form, staff will reach out to schedule an initial project coordination meeting to discuss the proposed idea, what would be needed to develop this into a full proposal, and any potential partnership opportunities.
  • In preparation for the meeting and development of the project, please review the proposal evaluation criteria and resources (below).
  • During and following the meeting, staff will provide guidance on next steps and what information should be collected before a full proposal can be submitted. Additional coordination meetings may be scheduled as necessary.
  • If it is determined that the project idea is eligible and viable, staff will provide the formal proposal form and budget workbook for completion. *
  • Completed proposal forms and budget workbooks for fully developed proposals should be submitted to Transitspp@nctcog.org by the cycle deadline for evaluation in any particular cycle.
 

*Submitting a Project Initiation form does not mean your idea is officially being evaluated. Only fully developed proposals submitted through the official proposal form provided by staff will be considered for evaluation each cycle.

 

Funding Availability

Click here to learn more about types of funding available for transit initiatives in the region.

Available Strategic Partnership Funding for the Region

UZA

Section 5307

Section 5310

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFWA) UZA:

$4,272,071

$6,123,632

Denton Lewisville (DL) UZA:

$475,420

$973,557

Total:

$4,747,491

$7,097,189











 




Last updated November 2022

 

Evaluation Criteria

Category


Possible Points                            

Needs Assessment
Does the proposal address Access North Texas strategies? Does it address NCTCOG Transit Study recommendations? Does it intend to serve transit-dependent populations? Does it address environmental justice and/or accessibility?  Is it non-duplicative?


60

Strategic Value and Innovation
Is it an innovative project that serves an immediate need? Could it serve as a model to other agencies?


15

Project Funding and Sustainability
Are budget assumptions sound and reasonable? Does the proposal meet minimum funding requirements? Is local match identified? Is project sustainability identified?


15

Implementation Capacity and Collaboration
Does the proposal include coordination with stakeholders and existing providers? Does the agency have the required capacity to implement?


10


TOTAL


100

  
Links to referenced plans, studies, and tools can be found in the Project Development Resources Section below.
 

Project Development Resources

 

For more information about the Transit Strategic Partnerships Program, contact Transitspp@nctcog.org.