State Buses and Bus Facilities
State Buses and Bus Facilities grants provide funding to transit agencies for the 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 the retrofitting of transit rolling stock and facilities.
This grant is supported by state funding through the 16-year Move Ahead Washington transportation package and codified in RCW 47.66.130.
Available funding
We anticipate up to $37.5 million in state funding for State Buses and Bus Facilities grants in the 2023-2025 biennium. The Legislature will determine the funding level during the 2023 legislative session.
We will notify applicants of awards by May 22, 2023. WSDOT may scale awards depending on need and availability of funds.
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 as direct contributions of at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Direct contributions are cash or other assets that directly benefit the project and are fundamental to implementing the project. With the exception of competitive state-funded grants administered by WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division, applicants may use other grants as match.
Important dates
- Sept. 27, 2022: WSDOT posts notice of funding opportunity.
- Nov. 1, 2022: Grant application available in the Grants Management System.
- 10:30 a.m. PST, Nov. 17, 2022: Informational webinar for prospective applicants.
- 3 p.m. PST, Jan. 10, 2023: Grant applications due in the Grants Management System.
- January-February 2023: Evaluation panel reviews and scores applications.
- April 2023: WSDOT sends prioritized list of projects to the Legislature and Governor’s Office.
- May 2023: WSDOT sends grant award letters to grantees (subject to budget bill enactment).
- June 2023: Grant guidelines and contracts sent out.
- July 1, 2023: 2023-2025 biennium begins.
- June 30, 2025: 2023-2025 biennium ends, at which time all funded projects must be completed.
Evaluation process
WSDOT uses a competitive process for awards from the State Buses and Bus Facilities Grant program using 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.
- Local financial commitment/match.
- 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 |
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