FTA Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities

Program Overview

The Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 53339) makes federal resources available to governors and other urban area recipients for transit capital. An urbanized area is an area that has been defined and designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census as an 'Urban Area' with a population of 50,000 or more.

FTA publishes annual apportionment tables Apportionments | FTA (dot.gov) for FTA Section 5339Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Formula Program (5339(a) that display funding allocations for urbanized areas (UZA’s). These allocations are based on population, low-income population, and population density. All large urban recipients – population 200,000 or greater, apply for their apportionment directly from FTA. For recipients in a UZA with a population between 50,000-199,999 (classified as small urban systems), Caltrans is designated by the FTA and the governor of California to be the “Designated Recipient”. Designated Recipients can receive and/or sub-allocate FTA Section 5339 small urban funds, however, Caltrans does not plan local transit projects, and does not apply for or receive these program funds directly, therefore Caltrans’ role as Designated Recipient focuses on program administration in collaboration with the FTA, Caltrans Districts/Divisions, MPO’s, and transit providers. These administrative functions include:

Key milestones:

• FTA apportionment tables published
• Caltrans suballocation request sent to MPO’s
• MPO’s inform Caltrans of suballocations
• Caltrans issues Statewide suballocation letter to FTA (posts to this website)
• MPO’s work with transit providers to program projects in TIPS
• Direct Recipients/transit providers submit applications in TrAMS
• Unobligated balance tracking
• Unobligated balance re-distribution before September 30 of the lapsing year.

Caltrans/FTA Monitoring:

A Direct Recipient’s FTA Section 5307 and 5339 formula funds are available for three years after the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) in which the amount was apportioned. The FTA Region IX Office and Caltrans begin monitoring all allocations 6 months after the Caltrans statewide suballocation letter is issued. One year prior to an apportionment’s lapse date FTA Region IX and Caltrans begin the process of monitoring and communicating with transit providers about the need to obligate unobligated balances. Three months prior to an apportionment’s lapse date, FTA Region IX and Caltrans collaborate to ensure all unused funds are re-distributed to any other small UZA in the State that has a resource need or has a planned project that’s ready to deliver (State’s discretion). This process is cyclical and done to ensure unobligated balances to not lapse.

Suballocation letters:

FFY 2023

• 2023 Split Letter Request.pdf
• FFY 2023 Small UZA 5307-5339 Suballocations 7-21-23 (wk).pdf

2024

• 2024 Split Letter Request WK-BT-ML.pdf
• FY 2024 Split Letter_V2 (2024).pdf

Federal Programs

• Small Urban Formula Distribution 2022(PDF)
• Small Urban Formula Distribution 2023(PDF)
• Small Urban Formula Distribution 2024(PDF)



Project-related Documents

• Amendment Request Form(DOCX) available upon request
• Invoice Checklist(PDF)
• Request for Reimbursement Form(XLS)



Additional Resources

• MAP 21 Legislation(PDF)
• Fast Act Legislation(PDF)
• 5339 Program Fact Sheet 2016-06-09(PDF)
• Toll Credit Fact Sheet(PDF)
• State Management Plan FTA Section 5339 Program(PDF)
• Agency Monitoring Form
• Eligibility of Costs and Cash Management and Payment Procedures (PDF)
• Reimbursement Request Form
• Resolution of Authority (PDF)

Program Contact: Michael Lange, 916-907-2217