Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2011 013 TPM TRIP
Apply for FTA 2011 013 TPM TRIP
- The DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2011 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.520 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 10, 2011 and posted on Mar 10, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 9, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $25,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 45 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments County governments.
- Federal Land Management Agencies State, Local and Tribal governments and subsidiaries with jurisdiction in the vicinity of an eligible area and with a letter of support from the affected land unit.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2011 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks (TRIP) grant opportunity is a discretionary Federal Transit Administration (FTA) program created to help federal public lands deal with worsening traffic congestion, pollution, and overcrowding that can damage sensitive resources and undermine the visitor experience. Backed by SAFETEA-LU (49 U.S.C. 5320), the program focuses on shifting visitors away from heavy reliance on private vehicles by funding alternative transportation options in and around national parks and other federally managed recreation areas. The overall intent is to protect natural, historical, and cultural resources while improving how people move through these destinations, including ensuring accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
The program supports planning and capital costs for either new or existing alternative transportation systems serving eligible areas. That includes shuttle bus systems, rail or other public transit connections, and other publicly available transportation options, including sightseeing services when they function as part of a broader mobility strategy. It also explicitly includes non-motorized transportation investments such as pedestrian and bicycle trails, reflecting an emphasis on practical, lower-impact ways for visitors and nearby communities to travel. A key limitation is that operating expenses are not eligible, so applicants cannot use TRIP funds for ongoing costs like fuel, routine operations, or drivers salaries; the money is aimed at building, improving, or planning systems rather than running them day to day.
Administration is shared across agencies: the U.S. Department of Transportation through FTA leads the program in partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service. Eligible applicants include federal land management agencies (FLMAs) that manage qualifying sites, such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. State, local, and tribal governments (including federally recognized tribal governments), along with special district governments and other public entities with jurisdiction nearby, may also apply as long as they are acting with the consent of the relevant federal land unit and can provide a letter of support from the affected land management agency. In practical terms, this allows gateway communities and regional partners to pursue transit and trail solutions that connect directly to federal recreation destinations, as long as coordination with the responsible FLMA is documented.
Eligible project areas cover a wide range of federally owned or managed parks, refuges, forests, and recreation areas that are open to the general public, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, BLM recreation areas, and Bureau of Reclamation recreation areas. Importantly, the opportunity also recognizes that traffic impacts do not stop at park boundaries, so projects may include surrounding communities and adjacent lands where transportation improvements can reduce congestion at entrances, improve last-mile connections, or provide realistic alternatives to private vehicle trips.
For FY 2011, the notice lists an estimated total of $25,000,000 available, with an anticipated 45 awards. Individual awards could be as high as $3,000,000, with no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0). The opportunity does not require cost sharing or a match, which can make it more feasible for agencies and local partners to propose capital-heavy projects. The grant is identified under CFDA 20.520. The funding opportunity number is FTA-2011-013-TPM-TRIP, and the application window ran from March 10, 2011 (posted and created) to a closing deadline of May 9, 2011, with the listing archived on June 8, 2011.
The program is ultimately aimed at practical, visitor-facing improvements: reducing gridlock and emissions, improving circulation within high-demand destinations, expanding mobility choices for people who cannot or prefer not to drive, and protecting the resources that make these places worth visiting. For access to the full announcement, the listing points to FTA Notices of Funding Availability, and provides a contact for assistance: Adam Schildge, Office of Program Management, Federal Transit Administration, (202) 366-0778.
FY 2011 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks (TRIP) Grant - FAQs
What is the FY 2011 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks (TRIP) program?
The Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks (TRIP) program is a discretionary grant program run by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help federal public lands address traffic congestion, pollution, and overcrowding that can harm sensitive resources and weaken the visitor experience. It focuses on shifting visitors away from heavy dependence on private vehicles by funding alternative transportation options in and around eligible federal recreation areas, while also supporting accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
What problems is TRIP designed to solve?
TRIP is intended to reduce worsening congestion, vehicle emissions and pollution, and overcrowding in high-demand federal public lands. By improving transit and other alternatives to private vehicles, the program aims to protect natural, historical, and cultural resources and improve how visitors move through these destinations.
What is the legal authority for the TRIP program?
The program is backed by SAFETEA-LU and is cited as 49 U.S.C. 5320.
Who administers the TRIP program?
The TRIP program is led by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include federal land management agencies (FLMAs) that manage qualifying sites, such as the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation.
State, local, and tribal governments (including federally recognized tribal governments), as well as special district governments and other public entities with nearby jurisdiction, may also apply if they are acting with the consent of the relevant federal land unit and can provide a letter of support from the affected land management agency.
Can local or regional partners apply (for example, gateway communities)?
Yes. State, local, and tribal governments, special district governments, and other public entities with jurisdiction near the eligible federal land unit may apply, as long as they coordinate with the responsible federal land management agency and provide a letter of support from that agency.
What documentation is required for non-federal applicants?
Non-federal applicants must be acting with the consent of the relevant federal land unit and must be able to provide a letter of support from the affected federal land management agency.
What types of projects does TRIP fund?
TRIP supports planning and capital costs for new or existing alternative transportation systems serving eligible areas. Examples mentioned include shuttle bus systems, rail or other public transit connections, and other publicly available transportation options. The program also recognizes sightseeing services when they function as part of a broader mobility strategy.
Are non-motorized transportation projects eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes non-motorized transportation investments such as pedestrian and bicycle trails, reflecting an emphasis on practical, lower-impact ways for visitors and nearby communities to travel.
Does TRIP fund planning, construction, or both?
Both. TRIP supports planning and capital costs for either new or existing alternative transportation systems.
Are operating expenses eligible under TRIP?
No. Operating expenses are not eligible. TRIP funds cannot be used for ongoing costs such as fuel, routine operations, or driver salaries. The funding is aimed at planning, building, or improving systems rather than running them day to day.
What areas are eligible for TRIP-funded projects?
Eligible project areas include federally owned or managed parks, refuges, forests, and recreation areas that are open to the general public. Examples listed include National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, BLM recreation areas, and Bureau of Reclamation recreation areas.
Can projects extend beyond park or public land boundaries?
Yes. The opportunity recognizes that traffic impacts do not stop at park boundaries. Projects may include surrounding communities and adjacent lands when transportation improvements can reduce congestion at entrances, improve last-mile connections, or provide realistic alternatives to private vehicle trips.
What is the overall intent or goal of the program?
The program is intended to protect natural, historical, and cultural resources while improving visitor mobility in and around federal recreation destinations. It targets practical visitor-facing improvements such as reducing gridlock and emissions, improving circulation within high-demand areas, expanding mobility options for visitors who cannot or prefer not to drive, and supporting accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
How much funding was available for FY 2011?
The notice lists an estimated total of $25,000,000 available for FY 2011.
How many awards were expected for FY 2011?
The opportunity anticipated approximately 45 awards.
What was the maximum award size?
Individual awards could be as high as $3,000,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount is stated. The notice lists an award floor of $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or a match.
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The grant is identified under CFDA 20.520.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FTA-2011-013-TPM-TRIP.
When did the FY 2011 application window open and close?
The opportunity was posted/created on March 10, 2011, and the application deadline was May 9, 2011.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The listing indicates the opportunity was archived on June 8, 2011, and the application deadline was May 9, 2011.
Where can applicants find the full announcement?
The listing points to FTA Notices of Funding Availability for access to the full announcement.
Who can be contacted for help with this opportunity?
For assistance, the contact listed is Adam Schildge, Office of Program Management, Federal Transit Administration, (202) 366-0778.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Transportation
Next opportunity: PRM NGO Projects in Liberia
Previous opportunity: Funding Opportunity Announcement for projects involving research, assessment, or formative evaluation that could inform and strengthen PRM funded humanitarian programs worldwide
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FTA 2011 013 TPM TRIP
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FTA 2011 013 TPM TRIP", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.