Fund replacement vans and buses associated capital items tire lease computer software fare collection miscellaneous support equipment radios miscellaneous communication systems shelters signage and…

Rock Region Metropolitan Transit Authority received a $9.05M Formula Grant award dated November 25, 2025, from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507). The award funds comprehensive transit capital and operational improvements for the Little Rock urbanized area through August 30, 2029. Primary deliverables include acquisition and replacement of buses and vans with associated capital equipment, tire leasing, computer software systems for rider tracking and bus scheduling, fare collection infrastructure including new fareboxes for the microtransit fleet, communication equipment such as radios and miscellaneous systems, passenger amenities including transit shelters and signage, and preventive maintenance activities to achieve a state of good repair for the vehicle fleet.

Additionally, the grant supports paratransit operations for the Links service to ensure continued service to special-needs populations, and short-range planning initiatives. Rock Region Metro has allocated minimum safety funding of 0.75% ($55K) toward on-call safety and security consulting services to design and audit the agency's Safety Management System (SMS) and Public Transit Safety Management System (PTASP). The funding also supports a camera system installation on revenue vehicles and related security infrastructure improvements. All projects are executed directly by Rock Region Metro without subrecipient involvement, as the sole FTA formula funding recipient for the designated urbanized area.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to fund replacement vans and buses associated capital items tire lease computer software fare collection miscellaneous support equipment radios miscellaneous communication systems shelters signage and perform preventative maintenance short range planning as well as provide paratransit assistance which will result in a better state of good repair and ensure continued operations.

Activities

Funds will be used to purchase replacement buses vans associated capital items tire lease computer software fare collection miscellaneous support equipment radios miscellaneous communication systems shelters signage and perform preventative maintenance short range planning as well as provide paratransit assistance.rock region metro is certifying that IT will not be allocation 1% of these funds on the security requirement as FFY 2024S 5307 funds allocated $360000 in federal (4.9% of the apportionment) towards a revolutionary camera system on its revenue vehicles to provide a more secure environment for metros patrons and employees.rock region metro is certifying that IT will be allocating 0.75% or more of these funds on the safety requirement. Rock region metro will use a minimum of $55000 (federal) from ALI 442400 towards an on-call safety and security consulting firm to help design update and perform audits of the agencys safety management system (SMS) and public transit safety management system (ptasp)

Expected outcomes

This project will result in a better state of good repair for the bus and van fleet. Computer software funds will allow the continued use of tracking software for riders network security and bus scheduling. Fare collection funds will allow metro to install new fareboxes on its microtransit fleet. Paratransit funding will ensure the continued operation of links. Planning funds will be used for safety management system planning tasks on-call scheduling and a planning contractor as well as items such as comprehensive operational analysis.

Intended beneficiaries

These funds will be used to benefit the riders of rock region metro which inhabit the areas of little rock north little rock and pulaski county arkansas