Bus Testing
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
In FY 2025, the FTA Bus Testing Center at Penn State University’s Larson Transportation Institute continued to provide federally mandated testing of transit buses to support procurement decisions for FTA grantees. The center conducted approximately 15–18 tests on new and significantly modified bus models, evaluating maintainability, reliability, safety, braking performance, structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise. For each bus tested, a comprehensive report was produced, including a Pass/Fail score to determine compliance with federal performance standards. These test results informed FTA grantees’ purchasing decisions, helped manufacturers improve vehicle performance and safety, and ultimately supported transit riders with more reliable and efficient buses. Additionally, the center began implementing equipment upgrades and capital improvements to expand testing capabilities, including enhanced support for electric-powered buses.
In FY 2026, the FTA Bus Testing Center at Penn State University’s Larson Transportation Institute is expected to continue providing federally mandated testing of new and significantly modified transit bus models. The center plans to conduct approximately 15–20 tests, including expanded evaluations of electric-powered buses using its newly upgraded charging and testing infrastructure. Each bus will be assessed for maintainability, reliability, safety, braking performance, structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise. Comprehensive test reports, including Pass/Fail scores, will guide FTA grantees’ procurement decisions, help manufacturers improve vehicle performance and safety, and ensure transit riders benefit from safer, more reliable, and efficient buses. These efforts will also support innovation in bus design and enhance federal oversight of transit vehicle quality and performance.
Program Objective
The purpose of the program is to provide assistance for testing new transit bus models and reporting on their maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise performance characteristics. Per 49 U.S.C Section 5318(e), amounts appropriated or otherwise made available under this chapter may be obligated or expended to acquire a new bus model only if that model is tested at the Bus Testing Facility and the bus achieved a passing test score based upon the performance standards for maintainability, reliability, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, noise, and safety. The program is administered under FTA’s implementing regulation at 49 CFR Part 665, commonly referred to as the Bus Testing Regulation.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Manufacturers (OEMs) can submit bus models for testing. FTA’s Bus Testing Program explicitly supports transit vehicle manufacturers.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. Citizen
Same as eligible applicant.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
A FTA agreement obligating Federal funds is reflected in an agreement . A web based system is used to award and manage agreements. In order to access this system, a user name and password can be obtained by contacting the program manager at FTA Headquarters. Specific terms and conditions may apply and incorporated into the assistance agreement. Once the funds are reserved and the project information has been reviewed and approved by Headquarters, the recipient must execute the agreement to access the funds.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
FTA’s mission is to improve public transportation for America’s communities, and the vision is that America will have world-class Public Transportation Systems that ensure access and mobility for all. This assistance listing supports the continued operation of one facility for testing new bus models for maintainability (includes accessibility), reliability, safety (including braking performance), performance, structural integrity and durability, fuel/energy economy, emissions, and noise (interior and exterior). Federal public transportation funds may only be used to acquire new bus models that have undergone testing at such a facility and received a passing score. The facility may also provide for the testing of rail cars and other public transportation vehicles.
Mission Categories
Primary: Urban Mass Transit
Other categories:
EngineeringResearch and DevelopmentHighways, Public Roads, and BridgesRail Transportation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
FTA funds 80 percent of the costs associated with testing a vehicle at the facility from amounts available to carry out this section. The entity having the vehicle tested shall pay 20 percent of the cost. The funding can only be used for the operation and maintenance of facilities capable of testing new transit bus models and reporting on their maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise performance characteristics under 49 U.S.C Section 5318
Restrictions
Under 49 U.S.C. § 5318, only bus models that have passed the bus testing standard are eligible for FTA capital funding. The FTA circular requires the grantee to obtain the full bus testing report (or partial report) before final acceptance of the first vehicle. There are also service-life category restraints. f a bus was only tested for, say, a 7-year / 200,000-mile service life, it can't be purchased under FTA funding for a 10 or 12-year requirement.
Required Documentation
FTA will specify any required documentation in the notice of funding opportunity published to support the various sections and programs. An organization should make sure to fit in the eligible category and have an Employee Identification or Tax Identification documentation from the IRS. At a minimum, the initial proposal should include the standard form required for use as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications and applications “instructions for application for federal assistance (SF-424) form”, project objectives, performance measures, background, and project description, including schedule, budget, and applicant’s organizational experience. Applicants approved will have to do a resolution by an authorized body approving the filing of an application; do an opinion of counsel letter from an attorney approving to apply for and receive Federal funds; complete certificates and assurances as compiled in FTA’s Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
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
Formula
This program has no matching requirement, but does require sharing the cost of vehicle testing. The entity operating and maintaining the facility shall establish and collect fees for the testing of vehicles at the facility. The Secretary must approve the fees. The operator of the facility shall collect 20% of the cost of testing a bus from the entity having the vehicle tested. The remaining 80% of the cost shall be paid with provided Federal funds.