Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Transit in Minnesota

Greater Minnesota transit grants

MnDOT is responsible for administering state and federal transit assistance funds for Greater Minnesota. These grants combine federal and state funds to improve and support public transit systems within Minnesota. Transit systems include buses, vans, and shared transportation vehicles.

2024 Transit Technology Grant

The Technology Grant provides financial assistance for hard and software improvements that support rural and small urban operations in Greater Minnesota. We anticipate selected projects will be awarded and improvements implemented in 2024.

  • Letter of Intent due date: Sept. 8, 2023
  • Application due date: Nov. 15, 2023
  • Awards announcements: February 2024

2024 Intercity Bus Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Intercity Bus RFP provides financial assistance to support the connection between non-urbanized areas and the larger regional or national system of intercity bus services. This funding supports planning and operations to meet the intercity travel needs of Greater Minnesota residents for a year from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

  • Application due date: Sept. 1, 2023
  • Notification of grant award: October 2023 

2024 Greater Minnesota Public Transit Operating Grant

The Public Transit Operating Grant is for financial assistance to Greater Minnesota rural, small urban, and tribal transit programs. This grant opportunity includes State of Minnesota and federal transit funding beginning no later than Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

  • Application Part 2 due date: Sept. 15, 2023
  • Notification of grant contracts: Early October 2023

2024 Greater Minnesota Public Transit New Service Grant

The Public Transit New Service Grant Application is for applicants to apply for financial assistance for the Greater Minnesota Public Transit Participation program under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.24.

  • We don't plan to offer a solicitation for 2024.

2024 Replacement Bus Grant

The Public Transit Vehicle Replacement Grant provides financial assistance for public transit services throughout the state of Minnesota. This capital grant program supports replacement of public transit vehicles.

  • We plan to offer a solicitation in late 2023.

Transit facility and large capital grants 

The Public Transit Facilities and Public Transit Large Capital Grant provides financial assistance for public transit services throughout the state of Minnesota. This capital grant program supports public transit facilities and non-vehicle capital greater than $5,000.

  • We plan to offer a solicitation in late 2023.
    • Facility build project questions: Email Kent Ehrenstrom
    • Large capital application questions: Contact your assigned Transit Project Manager

FTA Section 5310 Enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities program

The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program provides financial assistance for assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.

  • Grant solicitation currently closed.

Other grants

MnDOT provides transportation-related grant opportunities.