WRTA Funding

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WRTA receives funding for its operations from the FTA 5311 program, which is designed to support public transportation in rural areas. This funding is split into different categories, each with its own requirements for matching local funds.

For our Operating expenses, the funding is broken down into 56% covered by federal funds and 44% provided locally. This means that for every dollar we spend on running our services—such as fuel, driver salaries, and other day-to-day costs—56 cents come from federal funding, and the remaining 44 cents must be covered by local contributions.

For Administrative costs, such as planning, management, and general office expenses, the federal government covers 80%, while the remaining 20% is covered locally. This support helps us manage and oversee the transit system, keeping everything running smoothly.

Maintenance costs, which include vehicle repairs, routine upkeep, and parts replacement, are also split 80% federal and 20% local. This allows us to ensure our vehicles are safe and reliable for everyone who uses them.

These federal funds make up a significant portion of our budget, but they also require us, as a public agency, to match them with local funding. This means community involvement and support are essential for us to continue providing transportation services. Without the local share, we wouldn’t be able to access these federal funds and continue operating effectively.

WRTA also receives funding through the FTA 5339 program, which is specifically aimed at helping rural areas maintain, improve, and expand their bus fleets and related facilities. This program provides critical support to keep our vehicles up-to-date and ensure we have the necessary infrastructure to serve our community.

For the capital expenses covered under the FTA 5339 program—such as purchasing new buses, building or upgrading facilities, and other long-term investments—the federal share covers 80%, while 20% must be provided locally. This means that for every dollar we invest in expanding or maintaining our fleet and facilities, 80 cents are covered by federal funds, and we need to raise the remaining 20 cents through local sources.

This funding is essential for us to maintain a safe, efficient, and reliable bus fleet that meets the needs of our community. However, accessing these federal funds also requires a local match, which means our ability to grow and improve again depends heavily on the support we receive from the community and local agencies. Without this local contribution, it would be impossible to make necessary upgrades and ensure the continued quality of our services.

The ½% Sales Tax for Economic Development plays a crucial role in funding WRTA’s operations and projects. This local sales tax was established to support economic growth in our community, and a significant portion of these funds is dedicated to ensuring that essential services, like public transportation, continue to thrive.

One of the key ways these funds are used is to meet the local match obligations required for federal funding programs like the FTA 5311 and FTA 5339. Federal programs provide substantial funding to cover operating, maintenance, and capital expenses, but they require a local share contribution to unlock those funds. The ½% Sales Tax allows us to meet these matching requirements, making it possible for WRTA to access vital federal support.

In practical terms, the ½% Sales Tax funds enable us to cover the local share needed for programs like the 56% Federal/44% Local split for operations, or the 80% Federal/20% Local split for maintenance, administration, and capital expenses. Without this local funding source, we would struggle to come up with the necessary local match, limiting our ability to receive federal funds and making it much harder to maintain and expand our transportation services.

In short, the ½% Sales Tax for Economic Development is the key contributor that allows us to leverage federal funding, ensuring we can provide consistent, safe, and reliable public transportation to our community.

WRTA also receives funding through a WYDOT Highway Safety Office Grant for our SafeRide program. Originally, this grant was intended to support an event-based initiative, providing safe rides home for individuals who might be intoxicated after attending community events. The goal was to reduce impaired driving and improve public safety by offering a convenient, responsible transportation alternative.

Over time, the SafeRide program has evolved beyond just event-specific transportation. Now, the grant has been transitioned into a supplemental grant that helps us promote the benefits of our SafeRide service—a fully accessible, demand-response transit option available during nights, weekends, and community events. This means that instead of being limited to certain occasions, SafeRide is now a flexible transportation service that meets the needs of the community whenever they arise, ensuring everyone has access to a free, safe, and convenient ride, especially during times when regular transit might not be available.

The grant helps us communicate the advantages of this expanded service, emphasizing its role in keeping our roads safe and supporting our community. By making the public aware of this valuable resource, we aim to reduce the risks of impaired driving while also providing greater accessibility for everyone, including individuals with mobility challenges, who need reliable transportation during off-peak hours.

In short, the WYDOT SafeRide grant now plays a vital role in promoting WRTA’s efforts to provide comprehensive, accessible, and safe transit options during times when they’re needed most, contributing to both individual safety and overall community well-being.

WRTA is grateful for the generous support from the Local LOR Foundation, which has been instrumental in ensuring the continuation and enhancement of our services for FY24/25. The LOR Foundation has provided crucial funding to help sustain our SafeRide program into FY25. Specifically, they have seeded the entire local match required for SafeRide’s operating expenses, as part of the FTA 5311 grant. This commitment guarantees that the SafeRide program can continue to provide safe, accessible, demand-response transit for our community, especially during nights, weekends, and events.

Additionally, the LOR Foundation has provided the local matching funds necessary for another significant improvement to our service: outfitting the entire WRTA fleet with bicycle racks in FY25. This project is funded through the GTA 5339 grant, which helps us enhance our fleet and infrastructure. By making it easier for riders to bring their bicycles, we are encouraging more active transportation options, supporting multimodal transit, and promoting greater flexibility for our community members.

These contributions from the Local LOR Foundation ensure not only the continuity of essential services like SafeRide but also improvements that make our entire transit system more versatile and user-friendly. Their support helps us meet the local funding requirements for federal grants, maximizing the impact of these resources for the benefit of our community.

WRTA appreciates the support of local donations from individuals, businesses, or organizations who are interested in helping us meet our funding needs. One of the biggest challenges we face is meeting the local match requirements for our federal grants, such as the FTA 5311 and 5339 programs. These grants provide substantial funding for our operations, maintenance, and capital projects, but they require a percentage of local funding to be unlocked.

Your contributions can directly help us meet these matching requirements, ensuring we continue to receive federal funding and provide essential services to our community. Donations would also allow us to further enhance our offerings—such as bus stop infrastructure or additional services.

If you are inclined to support public transit through a donation, it would have a meaningful impact on our ability to serve the community reliably and effectively. Your generosity ensures that we can continue to grow and improve our services, making a difference for everyone who depends on WRTA.