Transit Operating Grant
We distribute state and federal operations funding to eligible rural, urbanized, and tribal transit providers. This year we have created separate solicitations in the BlackCat Transit Data Management System for Rural & Urbanized, Tribal , and rural areas within the seven-county Twin Cities metro area (Met Council).
How it works
State rules require us to collect and consider specific information to allocate funding and award contracts. The information is needed for funding decisions and/or used in contract awards, monitoring and evaluating performance, compliance monitoring, and audits. The details for each item are included in a table within the instructions as well as the checklist document.
All systems providing services in 2026 will receive an email as the Solicitation period opens with maximum allowed contract amounts based on the new allocation methodology.
Eligibility
Any legislatively established public transit commission or authority, any county or statutory or home rule charter city providing financial assistance to or operating public transit, any private operator of public transit, any tribal government, or any combination thereof is eligible to receive financial assistance through the public transit participation program.
Additional considerations
- Any organization that did not receive operating funds in the 2026 calendar year will need to email Glenn Gadbois for eligibility certification before beginning an application.
- All operating grant applications are considered competitive. If an entity is eligible and willing to meet grant requirements, its application will need to be considered. If the application is deemed competitive with an existing service, the parties involved will have an additional questionnaire that is competitively scored. This process would arrive at a single operator for the geography in question.
- A completed solicitation does not guarantee a specific funding allocation. At any time in the review process, we may request additional information or clarification to properly evaluate your submission.
- All operating grant submissions will be considered within the confines of the statewide budget target.
Timeline
- May 1, 2026: Application period opens
- 1:30 p.m., May 5, 2026: Detailed rural/urban transit solicitation presentation
- 11 a.m., May 13, 2026: Detailed Tribal transit solicitation webinar (we'll send invites)
- June 30, 2026: Application deadline
- Fall 2026: Operating awards announced
Guidance
- View our training information video (YouTube)
- We'll hold a Tribal transit solicitation webinar at 11 a.m. on May 13, 2026.
You can contact your transportation program manager if you need further assistance.
Application process
Applications must be completed and submitted online through the BlackCat Transit Data Management System.
Step 1: Start your application
- Log into the BlackCat system.
- Choose Applications.
- Select 2026 Application for 2027 Transit Operating Grant
Step 2: Complete and upload required forms
- Download, complete, and upload all the required forms to your application in BlackCat.
Step 3: Complete and upload checklist
- Check all the boxes on the application checklist and upload it to your application in BlackCat.
Step 4: Submit
- Choose the submit button to submit your application by June 30, 2026.
After you apply
- We'll review your application for completeness and accuracy.
- We'll email award contracts in fall 2026.
- You'll need to sign your contract and return it to us within 45 days from receipt.
- Funding is available Jan. 1, 2027.
Reporting requirements
If we award you funds, you must submit the following reports:
- Monthly operating budget (30 days following the month for which the report is prepared)
- Monthly service level and ridership stats (30 days following the month for which the report is prepared)
- Annual vehicle statistics report (no later than 45 days following the expiration of the grant agreement terms
- Final report, no later than 90 days after the grant agreement terminates
For the monthly operating budget and the monthly ridership statistics, you'll complete the reports in BlackCat Transit Data Management System and submit them 30 days after the month of reporting. Work with your transportation program manager to complete these reports.