Fund operating cost of paratransit for black mountain fixed route (route 170) and S3 fixed route services

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the City of Asheville $825,818 on December 29, 2025, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to fund operating costs for paratransit, Black Mountain Fixed Route (Route 170), and S3 fixed-route transit services.

The funding covers all eligible operating expenses including driver salaries, fuel, supplies, and vehicle lease costs to maintain these transit operations serving the Asheville urbanized area. The City of Asheville will provide continued paratransit and fixed-route services, with intended beneficiaries being low-income persons traveling between Black Mountain and Swannanoa to urban and suburban employment centers.

The award obligates $825,818 with a period of performance extending from the award date through March 30, 2031. Place of performance is North Carolina. This is a formula grant under the Urbanized Area Formula Funding Program, which provides federal resources to local and regional government authorities for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover all eligible operating expenses such as driver salaries fuel supplies vehicle lease etc. To provide transit operations for the black mountain fixed route (route 170) and S3 fixed route operations.

Expected outcomes

This funding will continue providing black mountain fixed route (route 170) and S3 operations to asheville UZA riders.

Intended beneficiaries

Transit services are intended to persons with low-income traveling to and from black mountain and swannanoa to urban and suburban jobs.

Subrecipient activities

The city of asheville will provide continued paratransit services to black mountain fixed route (route 170) and S3 operations.