Fully fund rtas FY2026 operating and capital projects in order to provide transportation services throughout western riverside county

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) $45.36 million through the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on August 28, 2025, to fully fund RTA's FY2026 operating and capital projects. This formula grant supports the continuation of public transportation services throughout Western Riverside County, extending into Orange and San Bernardino counties. The funded activities include operating assistance for fixed-route bus services in Hemet, California; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services; preventive maintenance for vehicles, equipment, and facilities; capitalized tire leases; and replacement of revenue buses. The award obligates funds through December 31, 2028, enabling RTA to maintain critical mobility infrastructure for residents and workers across the region.

Under this award, RTA will deliver continuous public transportation services to a diverse beneficiary population primarily comprised of Riverside County residents and workers, with extended service reach into neighboring jurisdictions. The formula grant structure—characteristic of the Federal Transit Formula Grants program's allocation methodology—provides direct federal funding to RTA as a designated recipient without subrecipient involvement, allowing the agency to sustain operational capacity and maintain its transit assets in a state of good repair while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery to transit-dependent populations.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to fully fund rtas FY2026 operating and capital projects in order to provide transportation services throughout western riverside county.

Activities

Activities to be performed include operating assistance ADA preventative maintenance capital cost of contracting capitalized tire lease and replacement of revenue buses.

Expected outcomes

With this grant RTA will be able to continue to provide transportation services in FY26 for the many people that rely upon IT. Funds will support operating assistance in hemet CA ADA complementary paratransit service contracted operating services preventative maintenance for vehicles equipment and facilities capitalized tire lease and replacement of revenue buses.

Intended beneficiaries

Primarily those who work or live in riverside county and the neighboring counties of orange and SAN bernardino.