Cover operating costs for one year (july 1 2025- june 30 2026)

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Municipio De Ponce $2,551,952 on June 6, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to cover two fiscal years of operating assistance for SITRAS, the zero-fare integrated transit system serving Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The award funds personnel costs, employee benefits (vacation leave, sick leave, medical plan, and bonus payments), and administrative expenses for SITRAS employees during July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. The municipality intends to continue full employment of SITRAS personnel without layoffs and to maintain zero-fare transportation services for residents and visitors of Ponce and adjacent towns, supporting worker mobility and access to essential services while promoting regional economic development.

Performance occurs in Puerto Rico. The period of performance extends through March 30, 2032. No sub-recipients are identified. The assistance type is formula grant.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to cover operating costs for one year (july 1 2025- june 30 2026). Also to cover operating costs (vacation leaves sick leaves medical plan and bonus payments for sitras employees) from july 12024 - june 30 2025.

Activities

The activities to be performed is to provide operating assistance during the period of 7/01/2025 to 6/30/2026 and operating assistance (vacation leaves sick leaves medical plan and bonus payments for sitras employees) from july 12024 - june 30 2025.

Expected outcomes

Continue employing sitras personnel without having to lay off any of them as a result of critical economic conditions; to continue offering zero-fare transportation services for residents and visitors of ponce and to promote the economic development of ponce and adjacent towns.

Intended beneficiaries

The municipality of ponce and the riders that rely on its service will benefit from continued services permitting workers to get to work and riders to get to essentials services.