Provide approximately 1 year of operating assistance for the city of kokomos transit system (city-line trolley and spirit of kokomo) to assist in operations during the period of 1/1/2026 through…

The City of Kokomo received a $2.54 million Formula Grant award from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on August 22, 2025. The award provides approximately one year of operating assistance for the City of Kokomo's transit system, comprising the City-Line Trolley and Spirit of Kokomo services, for the period January 1 through December 31, 2026. Operating funds cover all eligible expenses including driver salaries, fuel, and items with a useful life of less than one year. Additionally, the award includes capital funding for the construction of a trolley barn and maintenance facility to support fleet operations.

The products and services delivered through this award include continued fixed-route and paratransit public transportation services with enhanced safety and security measures. The intended beneficiaries encompass the Kokomo community through improved public transportation access, along with transit operators and mechanics who maintain the FTA-funded fleet. The award carries an ultimate completion date of October 29, 2027, allowing for both the delivery of operational services throughout 2026 and the execution of the capital construction project. No subrecipient activities were identified for this award.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide approximately 1 year of operating assistance for the city of kokomos transit system (city-line trolley and spirit of kokomo) to assist in operations during the period of 1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026; and provide capital funds for the construction of trolley barn/maintenance facility.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover all eligible operating expenses such as driver salaries fuel and items having a useful life of less than one year. Funds will also be used for construction of trolley barn/maintenance facility.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of these activities are to continue to provide the services of the fixed route and para-transit systems with increased safety and security.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries are the community as a whole by providing the much-needed public transportation as well as the operators of those systems and the mechanics who maintain the FTA funded fleet.