State Buses and Bus Facilities
State Buses and Bus Facilities grants provide funding to transit agencies for replacement, expansion, rehabilitation, and purchase of transit rolling stock; construction, modification, or rehabilitation of transit facilities; and funding to adapt to technological change or innovation through retrofitting of transit rolling stock and facilities.
This grant is supported by state funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) (100 percent). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
This grant is established under the 16-year Move Ahead Washington transportation package and codified in RCW 47.66.130.
Available funding
We anticipate up to $38 million in state funding for State Buses and Bus Facilities grants in the 2025-2027 biennium. The Legislature will determine the funding level during the 2025 legislative session.
WSDOT may scale awards depending on need and availability of funds. No more than 35 percent of funding per biennium will be awarded to any one applicant. At least 10 percent of the total amount of the legislative budget for the program will be set aside for rural or small urban transit agencies with an operating budget of less than $15 million. If there aren't enough projects to use the 10 percent set aside for rural or small urban transit agencies, WSDOT will award funds to other projects.
Eligible applicants
Any transit agency in Washington state is an eligible applicant. A transit agency is defined as:
- City transit system under RCW 35.58.2721 or chapter 35.95A RCW.
- County public transportation authority under chapter 36.57 RCW.
- Metropolitan municipal corporation transit system under chapter 36.56 RCW.
- Public transportation benefit area under chapter 36.57A RCW.
- Unincorporated transportation benefit area under RCW 36.57.100.
- Special purpose district formed to operate a public transportation system.
Eligible projects and related costs
Capital projects and related expenditures may include:
- Replacement, expansion, rehabilitation, and purchase of transit rolling stock.
- Construction, modification, or rehabilitation of transit facilities.
- Funding to adapt to technological change or innovation through the retrofitting of transit rolling stock and facilities.
Match requirement
Applicants must provide matching funds in the form of direct contributions at a certain percentage of total project costs. Direct contributions are cash or assets that directly benefit the project and are fundamental to implementing the project.
The State Buses and Bus Facilities Grant program uses a tiered match system to determine the minimum required match an applicant must provide. Match is determined by the transit agency's most recent operating budget.
| Tier level | Operating budget | Required match |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $35 million or more | 20 percent |
| Tier 2 | $20 million to $34.9 million | 15 percent |
| Tier 3 | $10 million to $19.9 million | 10 percent |
| Tier 4 | $5 million to $9.9 million | 5 percent |
| Tier 5 | Less than $4.9 million | No match required |
Previous eligible expenditures directly associated with the proposed project may qualify as match. Applicants may use other grants as match except for competitive state-funded grants administered by WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division.
Important dates
- Aug. 6, 2024: WSDOT posts notice of funding opportunity.
- Sept. 5, 2024: Grant application available in the Grants Management System.
- 2 p.m. Sept 10, 2024: Informational webinar for prospective applicants. Register to attend.
- 3 p.m. Nov. 7, 2024: Grant applications due in the Grants Management System.
- November 2024 – January 2025: Evaluation panel reviews and scores applications.
- June 2025: WSDOT sends grant award letters to grantees (subject to budget bill enactment).
- July 1, 2025: 2025-2027 biennium begins.
- June 30, 2027: 2025-2027 biennium ends.
Evaluation process
WSDOT uses a competitive process for awards from the State Buses and Bus Facilities Grant program that includes a panel of subject matter experts to review and evaluate applications.
Evaluation criteria
An independent review panel will evaluate applications based on the following evaluation criteria:
- Demonstration of need, including how the project meets agency state-of-good-repair goals, how it meets safety goals, and how it addresses environmental harms and provides environmental benefits for overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
- Demonstration of benefits, including measurable outcomes that improve the quality or scope of service in the community.
- Local/regional prioritization.
- Project implementation strategy, including the demonstrated readiness of the project for implementation.
- Project experience.
Sign up for grant updates
To stay informed about WSDOT public transportation grants, you can register in GovDelivery.
Awards
The table below illustrates 16 new State Buses and Bus Facilities projects funded for $38 million and awarded for the 2023-2025 biennium.
| Organization | County/counties | Project description | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Everett | Snohomish | 2023-2025 State Bus and Bus Facilities Grant for electric buses | $5,120,000 |
| City of Longview | Cowlitz | One low-floor hybrid replacement bus | $653,600 |
| City of Pullman | Whitman | One battery-electric bus and charger to replace a 1990s diesel coach bus in Pullman | $555,286 |
| Clallam County Public Transportation Benefit Area | Clallam | Four replacement, heavy-duty, clean-diesel buses | $2,178,864 |
| Grant County Public Transportation Benefit Area | Grant | Phase II expansion of maintenance facility and added equipment | $5,768,418 |
| Intercity Transit | Thurston | East Martin Way Gateway Station roundabout project | $680,000 |
| King County Metro Transit | King | RapidRide G Line bus rapid transit bus acquisition | $4,321,777 |
| King County Metro Transit | King | Interim base chargers and zero emissions fleet conversion | $5,412,000 |
| King County Metro Transit | King | Metro Alternative Services bus replacement | $3,045,777 |
| Kitsap County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority | Kitsap | Inductive charging units for transit centers | $1,412,558 |
| Lewis Public Transportation Benefit Area | Lewis | Zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and equipment | $907,720 |
| Snohomish County Public Transit Benefit Area Corp. | Snohomish | RideStore remodel and expansion at Lynnwood Transit Center | $3,840,000 |
| Spokane Transit Authority | Spokane | Fleck Center bus and van washer replacement | $764,000 |
| Whatcom Transportation Authority | Whatcom | Retrofitting fixed-route fleet with automatic passenger counters | $640,000 |
| Whatcom Transportation Authority | Whatcom | Route maintenance building and back-up power supply | $1,940,000 |
| Yakima Transit | Yakima | Acquisition of new paratransit vehicles | $760,000 |
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.