Analysis of State Rural Intercity Bus Strategies: Requirements for Utilization of S.5311(f) Funding

This report documents the research and findings conducted under two National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 20-65 task order projects: Task 20—Analysis of Rural Intercity Bus Strategy, and Task 25—Evaluate Requirements for the Utilization of Section 5311(f) Funds for Intercity Bus Service. Both projects focus on state-level implementation of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA's) Section 5311(f) funding program. The objectives of the Task 25 research complemented and expanded the work that was under way for Task 20, and thus the research results have been combined into a single report. The outcomes of these two NCHRP task projects provide a snapshot of the current status of the program across the nation, and also provide states with examples and recommendations for successful program implementation. States have a great deal of flexibility in how they administer their Section 5311(f) programs, as long as they satisfy certain federal requirements. Recent additions to the FTA oversight of state program management have focused new attention on state Section 5311(f) program implementation, including the consultation/certification process for states certifying no unmet needs for the program. The research documented in this report found that, while an increasing number of states are implementing Section 5311(f) programs, the success of a program in meeting federal requirements and in terms of the state’s own perception of their program is influenced by a state’s program goals, their approach to soliciting and evaluating funding applications, staffing considerations, the availability of state funding, how local match is approached, meaningful consultation with private carriers, needs assessment efforts, and the other factors which contribute to a “model” program.