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FY2026 Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Application for ADA-Compliant Bus Stop improvements
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DESCRIPTION: Ratification of an application for federal grant funding to construct ADA-complaint improvements at bus stops throughout the RTA system |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: Approval |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Ratify the Interim Chief Executive Officer’s decision to apply for federal funds not to exceed $2,160,919 under the Federal Transit Administration’s FY2026 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program for construction of ADA-compliant improvements at bus stops throughout the RTA system. The total project amount is $2,701,149 with a required local match not to exceed $540,230. The local match is not to exceed 20%.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the City of New Orleans are subject to a federal consent decree requiring noncompliant transit stops to be brought into compliance with applicable federal accessibility standards by November 30, 2031. A 2015 bus stop accessibility survey identified approximately 2,092 transit stops requiring improvements in order to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many locations lack a compliant boarding and alighting area, accessible connection, or other infrastructure needed for riders who use wheelchairs, other mobility devices, or who have other accessibility needs. In December 2024, the RTA Board approved Resolution No. 24-070 authorizing a task order to complete an updated transit stops inventory to assess, among other characteristics, the ADA compliance of all 2028 RTA transit stops. This inventory, which was completed in 2026, yielded an updated count of 1,827 bus stops requiring accessibility improvements.
The proposed grant project advances the Equity goal of RTA’s 2023 Strategic Mobility Plan. Action BE7 directs RTA to work with the City, in accordance with legal agreements, to ensure that all transit stops are ADA-compliant by 2031. The project is also consistent with RTA’s Universal Accessibility Study, completed in 2026, which evaluated barriers across the transit system and prioritizing solutions so that riders of all abilities can use transit safely and with dignity.
FTA’s FY2026 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program makes approximately $21.6 million available nationwide for bus and bus-facility capital projects. Eligible work includes constructing or rehabilitating bus-related passenger facilities and improvements to bus boarding and alighting areas. The program therefore provides an opportunity to secure the resources needed for bus stop-level accessibility work required by the consent decree.
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DISCUSSION:
RTA’s FY2026 application will prioritize horizontal construction necessary to create ADA-compliant bus stops. Proposed improvements may include construction or reconstruction of concrete boarding and alighting pads; curb, sidewalk, and accessible-route improvements within the bus stop area; grade and drainage corrections necessary to provide a stable, level boarding surface; and detectable warnings, protective elements, and related accessibility treatments where required by site conditions. A shelter is not required for horizontal accessibility work to qualify under this grant opportunity. Where appropriate and supported by the final site list and budget, the project may coordinate accessibility construction with shelter foundations or other passenger amenities. However, the primary purpose of the application is to deliver compliant boarding areas and accessible stop-level infrastructure. FTA permits no single recipient to receive more than 10 percent of the funds available under the Bus Program. RTA therefore proposes a federal request not to exceed $2,160,919, the maximum award amount. Based on a current planning-level unit cost of $14,950 per stop (including design services), the application would fund improvements at approximately 181 high-need stops for a total project cost of $2,701,149 (which includes the local match). The final site list will be developed from RTA’s recently completed stop inventory, consent-decree priorities, ridership and transfer activity, and constructability and phasing considerations, and the needs of riders with disabilities. Note that the unit cost numbers are planning-stage estimates. They will be further refined as an engineering team is brought on board and as construction work is competitively bid.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this Grant Program was released on July 27, 2026. Given RTA’s internal timelines for submitting materials for Board review, this item could not be advanced for Board review at the August board meeting. Given that the submission deadline is September 21, 2026, this item is being presented to the Board for ratification.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total project cost is $2,701,149, with federal funding not to exceed $2,160,919 and a local match not to exceed $540,230. The local match is 20% of the project cost.
The local share will be provided from RTA’s adopted 2026-2030 Capital Investment Program (CIP) and is included in the CIP as project 2024-FA-07
NEXT STEPS:
RTA submitted the FY2026 Buses and Bus Facilities application through Grants.gov by the September 21, 2026, deadline. If awarded funds, RTA will proceed in coordination with FTA toward environmental clearance and grant obligation. RTA will commence procurement of engineering services and will select approximately 181 high-priority bus stops for implementing accessibility improvements.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Proposed Project Budget
3. Resolution 24-070 - Transit Stops Inventory
4. Falls vs RTA Consent Decree
Prepared By: Rafe Rabalais, rrabalais@rtaforward.org
Title: Director of Capital Projects
Reviewed By: Dwight Norton, dnorton@rtaforward.org
Title: Chief Planning and Capital Projects Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
9/9/2026
Ronald G. Baptiste Date
Interim Chief Executive Officer