CA-2021-161

This FY21 FTA Sections 5307 and 5339(a) grant application includes a total eligible project cost of $8,465,518. The total federal claim is $4,536,061 (which includes $4,423,467 of FTA Section 5307 funds and $112,594 of FTA Section 5339(a) funds).

FTA Section 5307 funds of $4,423,467 include $3,192,558 FY20 unobligated funds and $1,230,909 FY21 apportionment funds. FTA Section 5339(a) funds of $112,594 are FY18 unobligated funds that were identified by the California Department of Rail and Mass Transportation as FY18 lapsing funds not used by other agencies in small UZAs elsewhere in the state and were authorized by the California Department of Rail and Mass Transportation to be awarded to the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (refer to May 25, 2021 Caltrans 5339(a) authorization of lapsed funds letter).

A total of $3,929,457 will be provided in various state and local match funding sources as the required local match funding for these projects.

Funding for all projects included in this grant application is provided by the following apportionment years and urbanized areas (UZAs):
- Section 5307 FFY20 El Paso de Robles-Atascadero (UZA #64140): $855,509
- Section 5307 FFY20 San Luis Obispo (UZA #63130): $500,777
- Section 5307 FFY20 Arroyo Grande-Grover Beach (UZA #61960): $1,675,727
- Section 5307 FFY21 Arroyo Grande-Grover Beach (UZA #61960): $832,170
- Section 5307 FFY20 Santa Maria (UZA #63800): $160,545
- Section 5307 FFY21 Santa Maria (UZA #63800): $398,739
Total Section 5307: $4,423,467
- Section 5339(a) FFY18 San Luis Obispo (UZA #63130): $112,594
Total Section 5339: $112,594
(*Refer to Caltrans May 25, 2021 letter for 5339(a) authorization of lapsed funds pinned in TRAMS).

Overall grant funding:
Total federal funds: $4,536,061
Total local match: $3,929,457
Total eligible project cost: $8,465,518
(*Disposition proceeds in the amount of $996 will be applied as an adjustment (included in local match total). Remaining federal interest due to vehicle involved in collision (FTA approval to use remaining federal interest towards capital projects is included in application documents).

This grant will provide operating assistance for RTA transit services throughout the San Luis Obispo County region (including four urbanized areas) from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. Preventative maintenance activities with the engine rehabilitation of ten (10) diesel-powered heavy-duty 40-foot 35-foot buses, replacement of one (1) ADA paratransit cutaway vehicle with like replacement of two (2) diesel-powered heavy-duty 40-foot buses with two new 40-foot electric zero-emission buses, and provide capital funding for the purchase of various vehicle maintenance equipment and bus stop improvement projects for both the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and South County Transit (SCT).

The costs identified in this grant are not subject to reimbursement by any other funding sources and are not duplicated in this application. Details of this grant are pinned in TRAMS. The funds for these projects are included in the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) 2021 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), which was submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on January 5, 2021. Projects funded by the Santa Maria UZA are included in the Santa Barbara Council of Governments (SBCAG) 2021 FTIP approved by the SBCAG Board on February 8, 2021. The California Department of Transportation and the US Department of Transportation formally approved the SLOCOG and SBCAG FTIPs on April 16th, 2021. All local funds to match these federal funds for this grant application include funds from the State Transportation Development Act (TDA) Rural Transit Funds (RTF) and State Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Purpose:
The purpose of this grant is to continue transit service operations at current service levels throughout the County of San Luis Obispo, provide engine rehabilitation services for ten (10) heavy-duty diesel buses to ensure the vehicles will reach their FTA useful life, replace existing rolling stock that have met and exceeded their FTA useful life (including 1 ADA cutaway and 2 heavy-duty 40ft. diesel buses), procure fleet maintenance equipment that is essential to maintaining the RTA's current fleet in a safe and operational manner, and provide for critical repairs and safety improvements to the various RTA and SCT bus stop locations throughout the county.

Activities to be performed:
Operations:
The County of San Luis Obispo encompasses approximately 3,299 square miles. This grant includes operations projects to support continued transit operation services provided in-house by the RTA throughout the county. The RTA operates five fixed-routes to San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Atascadero, Templeton, Paso Robles, San Miguel, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, as well as connecting to the City of Santa Maria in northern Santa Barbara County. A small portion of transit operations is provided by a third-party contractor for the City of Atascadero (subrecipient) for the operation of the Atascadero Dial-A-Ride service.

Preventative Maintenance:
This grant also includes funding to provide the critical engine rehabilitation services for ten (10) heavy-duty diesel 2013 buses that are nearing the 500,000 miles useful life standard and are experiencing significant mechanical issues resulting in costly repairs. The RTA will contract out these engine rehabilitation services to a third-party and will ensure that it complies with all applicable FTA procurement requirements.

Rolling Stock:
This grant includes funding for the replacement of three transit vehicles (1 ADA cutaway and 2 heavy-duty diesel buses) that have met and exceeded their FTA useful life in both mileage and years. The 2 heavy-duty diesel buses will be replaced with electric zero-emission buses. The electric bus replacement project is the first procurement of this vehicle type for the RTA. As such, this project includes the procurement of spare electric bus parts and critical training for operators and mechanics on the operations and maintenance of electric buses. The RTA will contract with third-party providers for the procurement of these vehicles, spare parts, and training. The RTA will ensure that it complies with all applicable FTA procurement requirements.

Maintenance Equipment:
This grant includes the procurement of fleet maintenance equipment critical for maintaining the RTA and SCT transit fleet. New equipment will be needed with the completed construction of the new bus maintenance facility. The RTA has determined critical equipment needs for the new building and will contract with third-party providers for the procurement of vehicle maintenance equipment. The RTA will ensure that it complies with all applicable FTA procurement requirements.

Bus Stop Improvements:
This grant includes funding for repairs and safety improvements for various RTA and SCT bus stop locations throughout the County of San Luis Obispo. The RTA is in the process of updating its bus stop improvement plan, and this funding will provide for the installation of new solar light poles, repairs to bus shelter solar lighting, and the replacement of benches and trash receptacles that are in need of repair. The RTA will contract with third-party providers for the procurement of bus stop repair services and equipment. The RTA will ensure that it complies with all applicable FTA procurement requirements.

Expected Outcomes:
The continued transit operation services will result in an improvement to public health as riders will have access to bus stops, linking to jobs, medical, educational, shopping, and other transportation modes (train station, bike/pedestrian paths). The replacement of diesel buses with electric zero-emission buses will reduce harmful greenhouse gases, help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, provide meaningful benefits to priority populations, and allow the RTA to begin implementing the California Air Resources Board Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Fleet Rule. The bus stop improvements are expected to slightly increase ridership with improved safety for employees, riders, and the general public.

Intended Beneficiaries:
The projects identified in this grant will benefit local residents of San Luis Obispo County, as well as tourists visiting the area. Local residents will benefit from increased access to work, educational institutions, and local health providers. Tourists will benefit from the connection to businesses and shopping complexes throughout the county. Businesses will benefit from improved traffic flow and greater pedestrian access. Students of the three educational institutions in our county (California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), Cuesta Community College, and Hancock Community College) will benefit from the services with continued access to and from campuses. Local partnerships will also benefit from these projects as the RTA works closely with our state and county partners in improving workforce transportation, including discounted passes for persons transitioning into new jobs.

Subrecipient Activities:
The recipient plans to subaward funds in the amount of $39,163 to the City of Atascadero (subrecipient to the RTA) for continued transit operations of the Atascadero Dial-A-Ride services. The City of Atascadero contracts out these services to a local transit provider.

San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority

20.507 - Federal Transit Formula Grants

FTA Region 9 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

California United States

State-Wide

None

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 2% from $8,314,778 to $8,465,518.