Urban Circulator

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of Section 5309 funds for exempt discretionary grants for Urban Circulator Systems which support the Department of Transportation Livability Initiative. The Urban Circulator program will be funded using $130 million in unallocated Discretionary New Starts/Small Starts Program funds, authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5309(a) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA–LU), Public Law 109–59, August 10, 2005. FTA may use additional Section 5309(a) Discretionary funding that becomes available for allocation to further support this initiative. This notice invites proposals for urban circulator projects seeking less than $25,000,000 in Federal Section 5309 assistance that would compete for Section 5309 discretionary funds authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5309(a). The Secretary may make grants under 5309(a) to assist State and local governmental authorities in financing new fixed guideway capital projects including the acquisition of real property, the initial acquisition of rolling stock for the systems, the acquisition of rights-of-way, and relocation. This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these discretionary funds, the criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious projects for funding, and describes how to apply. Please refer to eligibility criteria, application instructions and procedures outlined in the Federal Register Notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-29245.htm or http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29245.pdf