CHAPTER 924
PUBLIC TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM
761—924.1(324A) Purpose. The purpose of the public transit infrastructure grant program is to provide funding for improvement of the vertical infrastructure of Iowa’s designated public transit systems.
761—924.2(324A) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
“Public transit system” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 324A.1.
“Vertical infrastructure” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 8.57(5).
[ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17; ARC 5498C, IAB 3/10/21, effective 4/14/21]
761—924.3(324A) Information and forms. Information, instructions, and application forms are available from the Public Transit Bureau, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010; telephone (515)233-7870; or the department’s website at www.iowadot.gov.
[ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17; ARC 5498C, IAB 3/10/21, effective 4/14/21]
761—924.4  Reserved.
761—924.5(324A) Applicant eligibility. Rescinded ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17.
761—924.6(324A) Project eligibility. Projects may be considered for funding only if:
	924.6(1) The project has been included in a locally approved transportation improvement program and in the statewide transportation improvement program.
	924.6(2) Local match for the project is currently available.
	924.6(3) The project is capable of being substantially completed within 18 months of project selection.
761—924.7(324A) Eligible project activities. Activities that are eligible for reimbursement include, but are not limited to, the following:
	924.7(1) Construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities for administration of public transit operations, including any associated design, land acquisition, grading and foundation work.
	924.7(2) Construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities for servicing, maintenance or storage of public transit vehicles, including any associated design, land acquisition, grading and foundation work.
	924.7(3) Construction, expansion, or renovation of transit vehicle fueling facilities, including any associated design, land acquisition, grading and foundation work.
	924.7(4) Construction, expansion, or renovation of passenger waiting facilities, including any associated design, land acquisition, grading and foundation work.
	924.7(5) Relocating an existing administrative or maintenance facility, if necessary to correct violations of safety or design standards. Such project may include any associated design, land acquisition, grading and foundation work.
761—924.8(324A) Ineligible project activities. A transit facility may be incorporated into a larger project. Examples might include, but are not limited to, an intermodal facility, a headquarters for the umbrella organization sponsoring the transit program, or a public works facility. If this is the case, those costs attributable to the nontransit elements of the larger project shall not be eligible under this program.
761—924.9  Reserved.
761—924.10(324A) Funding.
	924.10(1) Program funds may reimburse up to 80 percent of transit-related project costs.
	924.10(2) At least 20 percent of transit-related project costs must be provided from local sources by the sponsoring transit system in cash or value of real property.
	924.10(3) Assistance from the public transit infrastructure grant program, when combined with federal or other state resources, may not exceed 80 percent of the project’s transit-related costs.
	924.10(4) No single public transit system may receive more than 40 percent of the funding available in one year.
[ARC 5498C, IAB 3/10/21, effective 4/14/21]
761—924.11(324A) Project applications.
	924.11(1) Project applications shall be submitted to the department.
	924.11(2) Each application shall contain:
	a. 	General information, including the transit system name, contact person, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and fax number.
	b. 	A project data sheet. The data sheet shall include the following:
	(1)	A brief description of the project and its purpose, project justification and anticipated benefits to the transit program.
	(2)	Cost information including total project cost and an itemized breakdown of project components (including transit vs.	nontransit costs).
	(3)	The proposed implementation schedule.
	(4)	A statement of the applicant’s ability to complete the project.
	(5)	A sketch of the project.
	c. 	Documentation of project justification.
	d. 	A resolution from the governing body of the sponsoring transit system endorsing the project and authorizing the necessary local funding match.
[ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17]
761—924.12 and 924.13  Reserved.
761—924.14(324A) Project priorities. The transportation commission shall consider the following in project selection:
	924.14(1) Benefits of project to the transit program in terms of:
	a. 	Enhancement of the life of the transit vehicle fleet.
	b. 	Enhancement to transit services.
	c. 	Increased ridership.
	924.14(2) Readiness to proceed.
	924.14(3) Feasibility of timely completion of the proposed project.
	924.14(4) Ability of the project to leverage other funds.
761—924.15(324A) Review and approval. Department staff shall review project applications and shall submit recommendations to the transportation commission. The transportation commission is responsible for approving the projects to be funded.
[ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17]
761—924.16(324A) Project agreement, administration and ownership.
	924.16(1) Agreement. After a project has been approved, the department shall enter into an agreement with the transit system sponsoring the project.
	924.16(2) Payments. Payments to the transit system sponsor for eligible project costs shall be made on a cost reimbursement basis.
	924.16(3) Ownership. The transit system must retain ownership of the new, renovated or repaired structure or facility for its useful life. If the structure or facility is transferred to a subcontracted entity or is sold before the useful life has expired, the transit system must repay the prorated state interest to the department. Useful life thresholds can be found in the department’s transit manager’s handbook, available on the department’s website at www.iowadot.gov.
[ARC 3194C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17; ARC 5498C, IAB 3/10/21, effective 4/14/21]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 8.57, 324A.1 and 324A.6A.
[Filed 12/13/06, Notice 11/8/06—published 1/3/07, effective 2/7/07]
[Filed ARC 3194C (Notice ARC 3034C, IAB 4/26/17), IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17]
[Filed ARC 5498C (Notice ARC 5313C, IAB 12/16/20), IAB 3/10/21, effective 4/14/21]