Shofi Ull Azum, MBA

CalSTA / Caltrans — Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Cycle 8 (California Grants Portal ID: 157899) The TIRCP was created to fund transformative capital improvements that modernize California’s intercity rail, bus (including feeder buses to intercity rail services, as well as vanpool and micro transit services that are eligible to report as public transit to the Federal Transit Administration), ferry, and rail transit systems (collectively referred to as transit services or systems inclusive of all aforementioned modes unless otherwise specified) to achieve all of the following policy objectives, as codified in Section 75220(a) of the PRC: (1) Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (2) Expand and improve transit service to increase ridership (3) Integrate the rail service of the state’s various rail operations, including integration with the high‐speed rail system (4) Improve transit safety Additionally, Section 75221(c) of the PRC codifies a programmatic goal to provide at least 25 percent of available funding to projects that provide a direct, meaningful, and assured benefit to disadvantaged communities, consistent with the objectives of Senate Bill 535. Assembly Bill 1550 provides further requirements related to ensuring investments meet the needs of priority populations, a term used to cover disadvantaged communities, low-income communities and low-income households. Final guidelines were published on Feb. 23, 2026. Eligibility: Public agencies with operating or planning responsibility for intercity or commuter passenger rail, urban rail transit, bus, or ferry transit service (including commuter bus, vanpool, and microtransit). Private companies may partner with eligible public agency applicants. Award Range: Dependent (number and size of awards determined after application period closes) | Total: ~$900 million estimated Cost Share / Match: No minimum match required; however, funding leverage is evaluated and desirable — particularly from other GGRF programs, SB 1 funds, or other federal, state, local, regional, or private sources. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Award announcement expected September 18, 2026 Contact Grant Management Assoc at info@grantmanagementassoc.com for a comprehensive analysis of this grant and how your project concept aligns to this funding opportunity. Our analysis is very comprehensive, should be done early on and is VERY LOW COST! Strategic Fit: Transit capital modernization, GHG emission reductions, intercity and commuter rail, urban rail, bus and ferry systems, high-speed rail integration, transit safety, disadvantaged community access Recommended Action: Pipeline Development — begin project concept development and benefit quantification now. Contact CalSTA to schedule a pre-application concept meeting. Agencies applying for the first time should take advantage of Caltrans’ new applicant support pilot program. Contact: (279) 789-2075 or tircpcomments@dot.ca.gov. Source: grants.ca.gov

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The Bay Area’s MTC has adopted its first Transit Priority Policy for Roadways, requiring cities to coordinate with transit agencies on MTC-funded projects. The policy aims to make buses faster and more reliable, shift trips from cars to transit, walking, and biking, and support complete streets. While coordination and street design challenges remain, this is a key step toward safer, more efficient transit in the region. https://lnkd.in/ejXipats

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California’s State Transit Transformation Task Force laid the groundwork for transit reforms, from capital project efficiency and accessible transportation to coordination improvements. While operating funding recommendations were limited, advocates are now poised to push for new funding and policies in the coming years. #Transit #PublicTransportation #California #UrbanMobility #Infrastructure https://lnkd.in/geT36gx2

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Mike Hynes, CALSTART’s Deputy Director of Transit and co-author of the latest Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Buses report released earlier this week, shares his perspective on the nationwide shift in zero-emission bus deployment: “The data clearly shows zero-emission buses are no longer confined to early-adopter markets. We’re seeing sustained deployment nationwide — from traditional leaders like California to fast-growing states like Florida and Texas — even as agencies navigate longer timelines and a constrained domestic supply environment. That signals a durable market shift driven by transit agencies making long-term operational decisions. Continued progress and deployment at scale will depend on stable funding, flexible implementation pathways, and policies that support domestic manufacturing.” 📊 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/g5b9VznA

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SMART on fix-it-first Sacramento Metro Advocates for Rail and Transit (SMART) in their July newsletter offered an article on the importance of fix-it-first in our transportation investments: Fixing What Matters: Why Sac Needs a "Fix it First" Approach. Fix it First is also referred to as 'state of good repair'.

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