Apply for a grant

You can find funding opportunities and information on applying for your public transportation grant using our grants-at-a-glance table. This table identifies the name of the grant, application opening date and due dates, award date, and application method.

Below you'll find information for prospective applicants for state and federal grants administered by WSDOT's Public Transportation Division. Grants are funded on a biennial (two-year) basis, though some grant programs may fund projects on a four-year cycle. The following types of organizations qualify for at least some of WSDOT's public transportation grants: cities, counties, nonprofit agencies, private operators, senior centers, special districts (such as schools and ports), state agencies, transit agencies, and tribes.

Grant-funded projects include:

  • Services such as transit; paratransit; transportation for the elderly, people with disabilities, and rural communities; commute trip reduction; and transit-pass programs.
  • Vehicles and equipment such as new buses, rideshare vehicles, and supporting equipment.
  • Infrastructure such as transit centers, park and ride lots, transit-signal-priority systems, and transit lanes.

The Grants Management System is a one-stop hub for public transportation grant applications, invoicing, and more. If the application method shown in the grants-at-a-glance table is in the Grants Management System, you will need to register for system access. Contact the help desk at PTDGMSSupport@wsdot.wa.govor 360-705-7711 for more information on registering for or navigating the Grants Management System.

Grant opportunities

Applications

We currently do not have any grant opportunities open for application. We will post information here and on the webpages listed in the table below when grant opportunities become available. Applications will only be available between the application opening date and the due date. Applications may be completed using the Grants Management System or through coordination with WSDOT, depending on the grant program. More information is available by contacting our grants team or your community liaison.

Sign up for grant updates

To stay informed about WSDOT public transportation grants, you can register for updates by selecting “Public Transportation Grants” under “Funding” in the GovDelivery menu.

Grants at a glance

These tables provide an overview of key dates and application methods for the grants currently administered by WSDOT's Public Transportation Division. We will update the tables when grant programs are updated, added or completed.

Competitive grants

Grant program

Application open date

Application due date

Approximate award date

Application method

Regional Mobility 2025-2027

February 2024 (pre application)

March 5, 2024 (pre application)

June 2025

Grants Management System

Consolidated 2025-2027 (includes Paratransit/Special Needs, and Rural Mobility competitive grants)

June 2024 September 2024 May 2025 Grants Management System

Tribal Transit Mobility 2025-2027**

June 2024

September 2024

May 2025

Grants Management System

Green Transportation Capital 2025-2027

July 2024

September 2024

June 2025

Grants Management System

State Buses and Bus Facilities 2025-2027

September 2024

November 2024

June 2025

Grants Management System

Public Transit Rideshare 2025-2027

December 2024

January 2025

June 2025

Grants Management System

Rural Transit Assistance 2025-2027

February 2025

March 2025

April 2025

Grants Management System

Transit Coordination 2025-2027

April 2025

May 2025

May - June 2025

Grants Management System

Zero-emissions Access Program 2025-2027***

April 2025

May 2025

June 2025

Grants Management System

** Tribal transit funds will be awarded through the Consolidated Grant process for the 2025-2027 biennium. Interested tribal applicants must apply through the Consolidated Grant program.

*** This program is not funded beyond June 30, 2025. Dates shown above are for planning purposes if the program is funded in future biennia.

Discretionary grants

Grant program

Application open date

Application due date

Approximate award date

Application method

Discretionary – Bus and Bus Facilities – 5339(b) federal fiscal year 2024

January 2024

April 2024

June 2024

Coordination with WSDOT

Discretionary – Low or No Emissions – 5339(c) federal fiscal year 2024

January 2024

April 2024

June 2024

Coordination with WSDOT

Formula grants

Grant program

Application open date

Application due date

Approximate award date

Application method

Rural Mobility 2024-2025 - formula

Not applicable

Not applicable

May 2024*

Not applicable (formula distribution)

Transit Support Grant 2025-2027

Not applicable

Not applicable

May - June 2025

Not applicable (formula distribution)

Paratransit/Special Needs 2025-2027 - formula

Not applicable

Not applicable

June 2025

Not applicable (formula distribution)

Commute Trip Reduction 2025-2027

Not applicable

Not applicable

June
(odd years)*

Not applicable (formula distribution)

* Award date for state funds depends on the passage of the transportation budget.

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.