The yavapai-apache nation (YAN) has successfully operated a public transit system located in the verde valley for over 16 years

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Yavapai-Apache Nation $564,614 on August 28, 2026, under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) to support continued operation and improvements to the Yavapai-Apache Nation Transit System serving the Verde Valley area in central Arizona.

Funding will support employee salaries and benefits, routine preventative maintenance and safety inspections of transit vehicles, employee safety and operational training, and the purchase of one expansion vehicle. The award also enables salary adjustments to ensure competitive compensation and retention of qualified staff. Activities include a review of current employee status, support for standard employee safety training, and acquisition of fleet-expansion capacity.

Expected outcomes include retention of qualified employees with reduced turnover, vehicles maintained in compliance with safety and regulatory standards, increased employee competency, expanded transportation availability through improved fleet reliability, and overall program efficiency gains. Beneficiaries include members of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Verde Valley residents, Yavapai County residents, transit employees, and general public users of the transit system, who gain reliable access to medical facilities, commercial areas, educational and public resources within Yavapai County.

The award carries no sub-recipients. Performance extends from August 28, 2026, through January 31, 2030. Place of performance is Arizona.

Activities

The proposed activities will include a review of current employee status to ensure appropriate adjustment of salaries and benefits routine preventative maintenance and safety inspections of agency vehicles support standard employee safety and operational trainings and allow for the purchase of one expansion vehicle.

Expected outcomes

Expected outcomes include retention of qualified employees and reduced turnover ensuring vehicles remain compliant with safety and regulatory standards increased employee competency and skills increased transportation availability through fleet reliability and improvements of overall program efficiency.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries include members of the yavapai-apache nation verde valley residents of central arizona yavapai county residents department employees and all other members of the general public that utilize the YAN transit services. All beneficiaries will gain reliable access to additional medical facilities commercial areas educational and public resources and beyond within yavapai county.

Subrecipient activities

No sub-recipients will be included in this funding.