Transit Coordination

This grant supports projects that increase transit ridership and improve transit riders' travel experience through collaboration among agencies in the central Puget Sound region.

This state-funded grant program provides financial assistance for coordinated transit-related projects. The program encourages joint planning and coordination by central Puget Sound transit systems to improve user experience and increase ridership while making the most effective use of tax dollars.

Grant award amounts

The Legislature funded $2 million during the 2023 session.

Eligible applicants

Transit agencies located in a county or counties with a population of 700,000 or more that border Puget Sound (i.e., King County Metro, Everett Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit). Ineligible applicants may partner on grant applications but cannot be lead applicants.

At least two eligible transit agencies must jointly propose an application. Applications must clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each partnering agency.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Integrating marketing efforts.
  • Aligning fare structures.
  • Integrating service planning.
  • Coordinating long-range planning, including capital projects planning and implementation.
  • Integrating other administrative functions and internal business processes, as appropriate.
  • Integrating certain customer-focused tools and initiatives.

Match requirements

Applicants must provide matching funds as direct contributions of 10 percent of their total project cost. Direct contributions are cash or other assets that directly benefit the project and are fundamental to implementing the project.

Applicants may use any funding source other than competitive state public transportation grants as match.

Evaluation criteria

An independent review panel evaluates applications based on the following criteria:

Evaluation criteria

Max points

Impact on service

20

Impact on customer service

15

Impact on administration/efficiencies

15

Joint planning/coordination

15

Readiness to proceed

15

Transferability

10

Innovation

10

Total points possible

100

WSDOT will prioritize eligible projects that propose to promote the formation of joint partnerships between transit agencies or merge service delivery across agencies over applications that propose traditional project types. 

Important dates

  • Feb. 22, 2023: Notice of funding opportunity posted
  • March 22, 2023: Applications available in the online Grants Management System (GMS)
  • 3 p.m. PDT, April 19, 2023: Applications due
  • April 24-May3, 2023: Applications evaluated
  • May 2023: Awards announced
  • July 1, 2023: 2023-2025 biennium begins
  • June 30, 2025: 2023-2025 biennium ends, at which time all funded projects must be completed

Awards

The Transit Coordination Grant table below shows two projects awarded $2 million from the 2023-2025 transportation budget.

Lead organization

Partner organizations

Project description

Project area

Award

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro, Pierce Transit ORCA & ORCA LIFT enhancements King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish $1,700,000
King County Metro Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Seattle Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries Free youth transit pass regional campaign

King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish

$300,000

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.

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