FY 2025 Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Competitive Program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is offering $10 million in FY 2025 through the Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Competitive Program, designed to advance innovation in transit vehicle design under the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312). This program focuses on making buses safer and more accessible for operators, passengers, and vulnerable road users, addressing key challenges such as operator visibility, blind spots, and accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Program Objectives:

  • Develop research and innovative solutions for standard bus designs, safety systems, and accessibility technologies.
  • Produce detailed design specifications and prototypes for retrofitting existing buses and inclusion in new models.

• Key Focus Areas:

  • Driver Safety Systems: Technology and vehicle modifications to protect operators and vulnerable road users.
  • Passenger Safety Systems: Enhancements to increase passenger safety and accessibility.

• Program Principles:

  • Partnerships: Collaboration across industry sectors, including manufacturers, transit agencies, unions, and disability organizations.
  • Scalability: Proposals must ensure wide-scale implementation and nationwide relevance.
  • Economic Vitality: Compliance with “Buy America” requirements and support for U.S. industrial and intellectual development.

• Match Requirement:
  The federal share is capped at 80% of project costs, requiring applicants to contribute a 20% non-federal match in cash or documented in-kind contributions. Proposers may opt for a lower federal contribution.

Proposals are due by 11:59 PM ET on January 17, 2025, and must be submitted via Grants.gov. For programmatic questions or access issues, contact Maria Roell at maria.roell@dot.gov.

For more information head over to the DOT NOFO page.