AASHTO Journal - FTA Makes $197M Available for Railcar Replacement

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a notice of funding opportunity or NOFO making roughly $197 million available to transit agencies to replace aging railcars.

[Above photo by MBTA]

Older railcars used in subway, light rail, commuter rail, and transit systems can contribute to service delays and increased costs, FTA noted, with many of them not accessible to people with disabilities and lacking in newer features, such as digital signage and audio tools, that improve the riding experience.

The FTA said transit and state transportation agencies can apply via the NOFO for Rail Vehicle Replacement Program grants to replace older railcars.

The agency added that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $1.5 billion in new funding through 2026 for that program, with the FTA previously allocating some $703.1 million in railcar replacement grants to six projects in May 2022.

“One-third of subway and commuter rail vehicles are more than 25 years old,” noted FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez in a statement.

“Americans who ride transit deserve the opportunity to travel on newer, safer, and more efficient railcars, and we are proud to provide support for transit agencies to make the significant investments needed to replace their aging railcars and make their systems more accessible,” she added.