Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program

Transit Emergency Relief Program (ER Program)
CFDA 20.527 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$225.5M FY2026
$152.8M
FY24
$391.2M
FY25
$225.5M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 With no new funding made available in FY 2025, FTA continued to help grant recipients use previously-awarded Emergency Relief funding for ongoing projects and past expenses.

Program Objective

The Emergency Relief Program is intended to provide operating assistance and capital funding to aid recipients and sub-recipients in restoring public transportation service, and in repairing and reconstructing public transportation assets to a state of good repair, as expeditiously as possible following an emergency or major disaster.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • U.S. Territory Government
  • Department/Agency of U.S. State
  • Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government
  • Municipality/Township Government
  • County Government
  • Local Government Consortium
  • Transit Authority
  • Local
  • State
  • Territorial
  • Tribal

An entity that operates public transportation service in an area impacted by an emergency or major disaster, as defined by a gubernatorial or presidential declaration of such an emergency or disaster, and that receives federal transit funds directly from FTA.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. Grants are awarded electronically. In order to access this system, a user name and password are needed and can be obtained by contacting the regional offices. Once the funds are reserved in TrAMS and the project information has been reviewed and approved, the recipient must execute the grant agreement to access the funds.

No date range is required, as Congress appropriates funds as necessary, and recipients may request to use funds available under FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307) or Formula Grants for Rural Areas (5311) programs under the provisions of the Emergency Relief Program (5324).

Program details & compliance

Description

The ER Program allows FTA to make grants for eligible public transportation capital and operating costs in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, that affects a wide area, and, as a result of which, the Governor of a State has declared an emergency or the President has declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Mission Categories

Primary: Urban Mass Transit

Other categories:
Disaster Relief

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

The ER Program allows FTA to make grants for eligible public transportation capital and operating costs in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, that affects a wide area, and, as a result of which, the Governor of a State has declared an emergency or the President has declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Eligible projects include emergency operations, emergency repairs, permanent repairs, actual engineering and construction costs on eligible projects, and resiliency projects designed to protect rolling stock, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from future damage.

Required Documentation

Resolution by an authorized public body approving the filing for an application; projects must be included in an urbanized area's transportation improvement program (TIP), in the State transportation improvement program (STIP) and approved by FTA and FHWA unless the project does not change the location, function, or capacity of the transit asset being repaired or replaced; information must be provided on labor and relocation; environmental impact statement; legal opinion; coordinated regional planning documentation; maintenance certification; and compliance with certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Costs will be in accordance with 2 CFR 225 for State and local governments. Requirements associated with Chapter 53 of Title 49, U.S. Code, and other DOT regulations may be waived by FTA. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles, applies to this program.

Matching Requirements

There is an 80% federal 20% non-federal match, subject to waiver by FTA.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Thomas Wilson
202-366-2053
1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-19. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:26:27.