New Federal Guidelines For Small Starts Projects

Posted on: Mar 08, 2010

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a dramatic policy change that could be good news for the future of Kansas City transit. In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proposed new funding guidelines for major transit projects such as light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit. Under budget restrictions issued by the Bush Administration in March 2005, the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) funding decisions for the New Starts and Small Starts program were based on how much a transit project shortened commute times in comparison to the project’s cost. Due to relatively low traffic congestion in the Kansas City area, many possible projects would not have been eligible for federal funding. “Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it,” said Secretary LaHood. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities, and how it makes our communities better places to live.” The criteria for the New Start and Small Starts program will now include: The new approach will allow for a fuller picture of how proposed transit projects will serve their communities.