South Central Transit Authority

South Central Transit Authority, a U.S. local government entity and transit authority headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, receives formula and project grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to fund public transportation infrastructure, fleet replacement, and operations across two urbanized areas (Lancaster and Reading) in Pennsylvania. The authority acts as a prime grant recipient on all significant awards, with roughly 90% prime-to-10% sub-recipient split; the sub-award footprint includes Medical Assistance Transportation Program administration work as a sub-recipient under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

FTA funding dominates SCTA's federal portfolio. The top two customers—the Federal Transit Administration (35 awards) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (3 awards)—account for 97% of all awards. Over the past several years, SCTA has received steady formula and project grants under CFDA 20.526 (Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs) and CFDA 20.507 (Federal Transit Formula Grants) to replace fixed-route and paratransit buses, upgrade facilities and equipment, support ADA paratransit and Access to Jobs Program operations, and implement public transportation safety plans. Recent representative awards include a $684,749 formula grant (May 6, 2026) for fixed-route and paratransit bus replacement, facility upgrades, and ADA paratransit service in the Lancaster-Manheim urbanized area; a $571,876 formula grant (January 25, 2026) for hybrid electric bus purchases and rooftop solar panel installation in the Reading urbanized area; a $673,148 formula grant (May 9, 2025) for fixed-route bus replacement and shop equipment in Lancaster; and a $523,325 formula grant (May 22, 2024) for paratransit vehicle replacement and facility improvements in Reading. Earlier awards included American Rescue Plan Act funding for operating expenses—a $7.39 million project grant (March 22, 2022) for Lancaster and a $9.51 million project grant for Reading supporting payroll, fuel, supplies, and maintenance during COVID-19 response (through April 2022).

Award activity has remained relatively consistent at two to five grants per year, with five grants reaching ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months. The combined potential value across all awards stands at $201.1 million obligated over recent years. SCTA's sub-recipient role in medical transportation administration is administrative and relatively modest, while the core mission remains direct FTA grant administration for transit fleet modernization and operational continuity serving Lancaster and Berks County residents.