Minnesota Section 5311 Rural Transit Program

Matti Gurney
651.366.4177
matti.gurney@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Section 5311 Rural Transit Program provides funding for capital, planning, and operations of transit systems in tribal and rural areas outside of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

There are two funding opportunities available for rural and tribal transit operators:

• Public Transit Operating Grants - to support the operations of public transit service for one year from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023
• New Service Grants - to expand and improve public transportation services for current and future transit users beyond the baseline service levels offered by existing public transit providers

Eligible applicants include:

• Operators of public transportation services
• Tribal governments
• State or local governments
• Private nonprofit organizations
• Private operators of public transportation services

Recipients of Section 5311 funding must provide transit services in rural areas located outside of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Applicants for a New Service Grant must have been awarded 2022 Operating Grant funds and have applied for a 2023 Operating Grant.

Award amounts are not specified. A local match of 5% is required for Section 5311 applicants, excluding Tribal Transit Programs.

Tribal partners are able to choose whether to receive federal funds directly from the Federal Transit Administration or MnDOT.

Links to application instructions for Operating Grants and New Service Grants are available on the program website when applications are being accepted.

Submit applications through the MnDOT online application system.