The purpose of this grant award is to provide assistance to the blackfeet tribe (of the blackfeet reservation) for blackfeet transit operations

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation Montana $801,303 under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) on September 15, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2026. This formula grant funds the continued operation of Blackfeet Transit, a demand-response public transportation service that serves members of the public across the Blackfeet Reservation and surrounding service areas in Montana. The funding covers eligible operational costs necessary to maintain critical transit services, including driver salaries, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other operating expenses required to sustain the demand-response program.

The award enables Blackfeet Transit to provide essential mobility services covering over 200,000 miles annually throughout the reservation and service area, supporting vulnerable populations including elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, low-income commuters, and community members in underserved areas. As a federally recognized Indian tribe, the Blackfeet Tribe receives this funding directly as a formula allocation rather than through competitive selection, reflecting the FTA's commitment to supporting tribal sovereignty and equitable public transportation access in rural and tribal communities.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover eligible costs for the continued operation of blackfeet transit on the blackfeet reservation and the surrounding service area.

Expected outcomes

This assistance will allow the tribe to provide critical transit services through our demand response program covering over 200000 miles per year within the blackfeet reservation and to the surrounding service area.

Intended beneficiaries

Members of the public using public transportation.