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UDOT outlines proposed Transit Innovation Grant program, scoring and timeline for commissioners' review
Summary
UDOT staff walked commissioners through a newly legislated Transit Innovation Grant program that would prioritize pilot transit projects in high‑growth areas, with a maximum $3 million per award and a mix of funding sources including local option sales tax quarters and possible TTF funds; staff proposed screening and a five‑category scoring rubric and said applications would open July 1 if the commission approves the process in June.
UDOT staff presented details of a legislatively directed Transit Innovation Grant program intended to fund short‑term pilot transit projects in high‑growth communities.
Staff described the program’s key constraints and financing sources: a maximum award of $3,000,000 per project and a three‑year maximum project duration; funding is expected to come from the fourth‑quarter local option sales tax in four qualifying counties (Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties), a one‑time $3,000,000 allocation available to Salt Lake County under a separate provision, and potentially the Transportation Trust Fund for projects that can meet a 30% match and the TTF prioritization process.
On eligibility, staff proposed defining “high‑growth areas” by comparing a municipality’s historical and projected growth to its county — essentially a 10‑year lookback and 10‑year projection — and listed 32 qualifying municipalities in the four counties. The proposed application packet would require project descriptions, maps, implementation schedules and an explanation of regional integration.
Staff proposed a five‑category ranking system to make awards: population density, employment density, an opportunity‑cost measure (estimated ridership per dollar), a financial commitment score (local contribution is permitted but not required) and an innovation score. The working weights staff presented included a substantial weight on estimated ridership (a 40% allocation in the draft rubric), though they invited commissioners to adjust weights before final approval. Staff said applications could be accepted beginning July 1, 2026, if the commission approves the process at its June meeting, with awards programmed by December.
Why it matters: the program is intended to create proof‑of‑concept transit pilots that expand ridership in high‑growth communities and generate evidence for potential longer‑term service. Commissioners raised questions about fairness of weighting local financial contributions (which could advantage wealthier jurisdictions) and how ridership estimates will be verified; staff said applicants will use UTA and other data and that the department will validate modeled ridership.
Next steps: staff will return in June with a final recommended process and would open the application window on July 1 if approved. Commissioners may ask staff to adjust scoring weights and clarify how county allocations are handled within the four‑county funding pool.
Ending: The department stressed the program is intended for small‑scale pilots and that larger follow‑on investment would require normal TTF prioritization and match rules.
