On March 18, 2020, The Federal Transit Administration announced an $11 million Notice of Funding Opportunity under the AIM Initiative to support and advance innovation in the transit industry. AIM challenge grants will help transit agencies explore new service models that provide more efficient and frequent service, which will help retain riders. As a funding partner, FTA will help alleviate the potential risks involved in adopting new technologies and practices. A list of eligible projects and applicants is below.
The deadline for projects was originally April 18th, however, the FTA has extended that deadline to May 18th.
Transit agencies selected for AIM Challenge Grants awards will be designated as AIM Incubators and will serve as experts and provide support to other agencies seeking to improve transit service and mobility in their communities, through activities such as peer exchanges and knowledge sharing. AIM Incubator activities are eligible and required activities under the AIM Challenge Grants up to the funding previously established.
Eligible Projects:
- Integrated scheduling, reservation, and payments across all mobility providers in a region
- Innovative dynamic mobility hubs in rural areas.
- Innovative data tools to predict movement of all travelers on a transportation network to target transit services and provide more comprehensive traveler information.
- New operational models of bus service that are more flexible, better integrated into the community, and more appealing.
- Emerging approaches or technologies that enable access for all populations to take advantage of mobility advances, including older Americans, school-aged populations traveling independently, and persons with disabilities.
- Innovative projects to demonstrate market-ready or near market-ready transit automation for revenue service.
- Novel partnerships with private, public, or nonprofit entities that connect riders to high-demand services or destinations
Eligible applicants
- Providers of public transportation including:
- public transportation agencies,
- state/local government DOTs,
- and federally recognized Indian tribes.
Eligible applicants may identify one or more project partner(s) with a substantial interest and involvement in the project.
