Consolidated Grant Program

The Washington State Department of Transportation administers the Consolidated Grant Program as a coordinated funding initiative designed to support public transportation services across Washington state. The program combines multiple federal and state funding streams into a single competitive process, allowing applicants to pursue support for a range of transportation-related needs through one unified application. Funding sources include Federal Transit Administration programs such as Sections 5310, 5311, and 5339(a), along with state programs like the Rural Mobility Grant Program and Paratransit and Special Needs Grant Program. A portion of the funding is also supported by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which directs investments toward reducing emissions, improving public health, and supporting sustainable transportation systems. The primary purpose of the program is to improve access to public transportation, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and to enhance mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The program supports a wide range of transportation activities including operations, mobility management, capital purchases, small construction projects, and planning efforts. These investments are intended to strengthen transportation networks, increase coordination among providers, and ensure that communities have access to reliable and accessible transportation options. Eligible uses include operating assistance for transit services, acquisition of vehicles and equipment, infrastructure improvements such as bus stops and facilities, and planning activities that assess and address local transportation needs. Funding is awarded through a competitive process in which applicants must demonstrate how their proposed projects align with program goals and meet identified community needs. Applicants are required to participate in a regionally developed Coordinated Public Transportation - Human Services Transportation Plan and must show that their proposed project is identified within that plan. The program allows both new and sustaining projects, with differing performance periods depending on project type. New projects are generally funded for two years, while sustaining projects may be funded for up to four years. Small construction projects are limited to a maximum request of 2.5 million dollars per application, and certain large-scale infrastructure or ferry-related projects are explicitly excluded. Applicants must provide matching funds as part of their project budgets. The required match varies based on the type of project. Sustaining operating and mobility management projects require a 10 percent local match, while new projects, including capital and planning efforts or expansions of existing services, require a 5 percent match. Demonstrating additional local financial commitment can strengthen an application by showing community support and leveraging additional funding sources. Matching funds are a mandatory component and must be clearly documented within the application. The application process requires submission through the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Grants Management System. Applicants must register in the system and complete required training prior to submission. Each project requires a separate application, and applicants must upload supporting documentation in PDF or Excel format. Applications are evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts using criteria that assess project feasibility, community need, coordination, performance measurement, financial capability, and alignment with transportation goals. Additional considerations include the applicant’s experience managing grants and transportation projects, as well as efforts to include disadvantaged businesses. The timeline for the current funding cycle includes the release of the notice of funding opportunity in May 2026, with applications opening in June 2026 and closing in September 2026. Revised applications may be requested and are due in November 2026. Regional rankings are completed in early 2027, followed by award announcements in mid-2027 after approval of the state transportation budget. Funded projects begin in July 2027 and may extend through June 2029 or June 2031 depending on project type. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the program via email or phone, and additional technical support is available for the Grants Management System.

Align project with regional transportation plan; demonstrate clear community need and coordination; include measurable performance outcomes; show financial and operational readiness; leverage additional funding sources