U.S. communities receive grants to improve transit access

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, recently announced that it has awarded several organizations throughout the United States to improve access to public transit in communities.

Each of the 21 organizations will receive a portion of $19.5 million available in grants from the FTA’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Pilot Program.

“Transit-oriented development is critical to the success of new projects and to the economy of the local communities they serve,” Therese McMillan, the FTA Acting Administrator, said. “These grants will help communities like Tacoma develop a transportation system that encourages people to use transit to reach jobs, education, medical care, housing and other vital services that they need.”

These funds will be used specifically for the financing of comprehensive planning projects within communities that are creating or improving mass transit systems.

“Our nation’s transportation demands have exceeded our capacity, causing millions of Americans to lose precious time stuck on congested roads and transit systems,” Anthony Foxx, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, said. “By investing in transit planned around housing, jobs and services, these communities are creating ladders of opportunity for their citizens and laying a strong foundation for economic development that our growing nation demands.”