This application for federal funding is for FY24 $399126 FY25 $387964 section 5311C funds apportioned to the ponca tribe of oklahoma in the amount total funds $787090 for operating and capital…

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma $787,090 on March 4, 2026, under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) to maintain existing transit services on the reservation through February 28, 2029.

The tribe will deploy funding across operating and capital assistance. Operating expenses cover employee salaries for approximately 8–10 full-time drivers, one service assistant/scheduler, one dispatcher, and one director, with salary increases of 3–5 percent and incentive pay. The award also funds fuel with useful life under one year and preventive maintenance. Capital investments include upgrading Trip Master dispatch and scheduling software licenses, purchasing two new iPads with associated equipment fees, and travel and technical assistance for employees attending annual conferences, drug and alcohol awareness training, and safety certification programs to maintain compliance.

The award is 100 percent federally funded, with fiscal year 2024 apportionment of $399,126 and fiscal year 2025 apportionment of $387,964. Place of performance is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The funding will enable the tribe to continue providing safe and effective transit services to tribal members and public transit riders in surrounding rural communities. No subrecipients are involved in this award.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover eligible operating expenses such as employees salaries expenditures will include salaries increases from 3%-5% and incentives for up to (8-10) full-time drivers (1) service assistant/scheduler (1) dispatcher and (1)-director fuel items having a useful life of less than one year and preventive maintenance. Funds will also be used for travel training and technical assistance travel to annual conference travel to drug and alcohol national conference employees travel to safety conference to stay compliant by getting certified. Updating trip master passes to ride with new upgraded software licenses fee and equipment for 2-new ipad. Trip master training for dispatching and scheduling needs if needed.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit the ponca tribe of oklahoma to continue to provide safe and effective transit services to tribal and surrounding rural communities.

Intended beneficiaries

Ponca tribe of oklahoma and public transit riders.