There is broad project eligibility within the STIF Formula fund program with one notable restriction: funds may not be used for light rail capital expenses but may be used for light rail operations expenses. In the first funding cycle, the majority of funds were directed toward improving and expanding services throughout the state. In subsequent cycles, funds have also been used for service maintenance projects in order to sustain this growth.
Eligible project types include:
- Communications
- Equipment Purchase
- Facility Purchase
- Vehicle Purchase
- Signs/Shelters Purchase
- Mobility Management
- Operations
- Planning
- Preventive Maintenance
- Project Administration
- Program Reserve
Qualified Entities are permitted to carry funds forward, whether planned or unplanned. For example, a Qualified Entity may wish to carry funds forward:
- To maintain an operating reserve for STIF projects
- To save for a large or multi-phased capital project
- If revenues received exceeded actual expenditures
Client-only transportation services are generally not eligible to receive STIF Formula funding if the proposed use of the money is to pay for services that are not open to the general public. Client-only providers participating in a planned and coordinated community transportation program, however, could be eligible for STIF Formula funding. These types of projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
STIF Formula funds are not intended to supplant local funding sources to maintain existing services. If a proposed project was previously funded by local dollars that are now being reallocated for non-transit purposes, this may result in denial of the funding request because it could be considered supplanting. Questions about a situation that might be considered supplanting should be discussed with the relevant regional transit coordinator before submitting the STIF Plan.