Regional Mobility

The program funds projects that can deliver public benefits as quickly as possible. State funding supports this grant (RCW 47.66.030).

Eligible applicants

Cities, counties, ports, public transit agencies, regional transit authorities, regional transportation planning organizations, and metropolitan planning organizations in Washington state are eligible to apply.

Pre-application requirement

Pre-applications are required prior to submitting a Regional Mobility Grant application. The deadline for pre-application submissions was March 3, 2026. WSDOT engineers, planners, and transportation demand management experts reviewed all pre-applications. Only organizations with a reviewed pre-application are eligible to submit a full grant application.

You may apply for more than one project. Each project requires a separate pre-application.

To be eligible for consideration, proposed projects must demonstrate a reduction in vehicle travel, measured in reductions to vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled.

Eligible projects

You may apply for either two- or four-year projects. Pilot projects are eligible under the Regional Mobility Grant program, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements (e.g., vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled reductions).

 This program supports four eligible project types:

Vehicle and equipment purchases

To align with the Reginal Mobility Grant program goals and remain eligible, all vehicle and equipment projects must support service expansion, increased capacity, or the creation of new community connections.

• Passenger service vehicles.
• Charging equipment for electric vehicles. Charger projects exclusively for single-occupancy vehicles are not eligible, because they do not result in a reduction of vehicle trips or vehicle miles traveled.
• Communications equipment.
• Computer hardware, software, and data systems.
• Multimodal enhancements (e.g., bicycle racks).
• Security equipment.

Capital construction

• Passenger transfer centers.
• Bus-only or high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
• Bus passenger shelters, platforms, and stations.
• Transit access improvements.
• Transit signal priority, queue jumps, and bypasses.
• Park-and-ride lots and facilities.
• Minor hydrogen fueling infrastructure, such as on-site storage systems or dispensing equipment for transit vehicles.

Operating

• New, expanded, or more frequent bus routes, including express, and feeder services.
• New community connections or transportation corridors serving multiple communities.

Transportation demand management

• Initiatives that enhance commute trip reduction programs or encourage shifts to high-efficiency modes (e.g., transit, walking, and biking).
• Transit or rideshare services or programs that mitigate the impacts of construction projects or major events (e.g., community festivals or major sporting events).
• Licensed technology or software that coordinates trip reduction strategies to mitigate congestion (e.g., route optimization or commuter management systems).
• Other transportation demand management strategies and concepts listed on WSDOT’s Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) website.

Your Regional Mobility Grant program application must include a description of the TSMO strategies you're considering for the proposed project. We encourage you to review the TSMO website before applying. The definition of TSMO is under the About tab. Consider how your proposal will support WSDOT’s goal to operate and manage a multimodal transportation system. Explore the Strategies and Concepts tab for possible TSMO processes and tools that apply to your project.

Match requirements

You're required to provide matching funds of at least 20 percent of the total project cost as direct contributions. Direct contributions are cash or other assets that directly benefit the project and are essential for its implementation.

You may use any funding source as matching funds, except for other competitive state public transportation grants.

Evaluation criteria

WSDOT’s panel of subject matter experts evaluates Regional Mobility grant applications based on the following criteria:

• Reduce delay: Uses program funds to reduce the time it takes people to reach their destinations.
• Improve connectivity: Enhances multimodal connections and services between counties or regional population centers.
• Project performance: Reduces vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled relative to project costs and useful life.
• Readiness to proceed: Aligns with local plans; minimizes risks related to scope, schedule, and budget; and is likely to deliver public benefits on schedule.

Important dates

• Feb. 3, 2026: Pre-application available in the Grants Management System (GMS). Pre-application must be submitted by the deadline and reviewed by WSDOT to be eligible to apply for a 2027-2029 biennium grant.
• 3 p.m., March 3, 2026: Pre-application deadline in GMS.
• March – April 2026: WSDOT subject matter experts review pre-applications. Feedback will be provided before the full application is available in GMS.
• April 9, 2026: WSDOT posts informational notice of funding opportunity.
• May 7, 2026: Grant applications available in GMS. 
• 11 a.m., May 21, 2026: Informational webinar.
• May – June 2026: WSDOT staff available for questions and technical assistance.
• 3 p.m., June 30, 2026: Grant applications due in GMS. 
• July – August 2026: WSDOT reviews applications and performance estimates and works with applicants to make revisions as needed.
• 3 p.m., Aug. 27, 2026: Revised applications due in GMS.
• September – October 2026: Independent evaluation panel reviews and scores applications.
• Nov. 29, 2026: WSDOT sends the prioritized list of projects to the Legislature and Governor’s Office.
• May – June 2027: WSDOT issues grant award letters to grantees (subject to enactment of the state budget).
• July 1, 2027: 2027-2029 biennium begins.
• June 30, 2029: 2027-2029 biennium ends.

Frequently asked questions

Regional Mobility Grant frequently asked questions (PDF 620KB).

Performance measurement plan guide

Regional Mobility Grant performance measurement plan guide (PDF 727KB).

Awards

The Regional Mobility grants table below shows 31 projects awarded over $76.7 million for the 2025-2027 biennium.

*Indicates a four-year continuing project that began in the 2023-2025 biennium.

Sign up for grant updates

To stay informed about WSDOT public transportation grants, you can register for updates in GovDelivery.