Rideshare Grant Program. The Rideshare Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2003-05 biennium. The rideshare or vanpool grant program provides support for transit agencies to replace or add rideshare vehicles.
Special Needs Grant. The Special Needs Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2003-05 biennium. The Special Needs Grant Program provides support for transit agencies and non-profit providers of transportation. The appropriation is divided with 77 percent going to transit agencies and 23 percent going to nonprofit providers of special needs transportation.
Freight Rail Investment Bank and Emergent Freight Rail Assistance Program. The Freight Rail Investment Bank (FRIB) and Freight Rail Assistance Program (FRAP) have been in the current structure of project evaluation since the 2011 transportation budget, following the development of a cost-benefit methodology developed during the 2008 interim, and in accordance with legislative priorities established in the rail preservation program. The FRIB provides low-interest loans to publicly-owned railroads, port districts, rail districts and local governments. FRAP grants are available to both the public and private sectors.
Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program. The Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2005-07 biennial budget. The program awards grants to local jurisdictions to eliminate pedestrian and bicyclist fatal and serious injury crashes, build connected low stress walk and bike networks, and increase walking and biking.
| Program | 2022 Supplemental Transportation Budget appropriations (in thousands) |
| Rideshare Grant | $2,000 |
| Special Needs - current law and new law | $81,941 |
| Freight Rail Investment Bank - new loans | $5,098 |
| Freight Rail Assistance Program - new projects | $7,041 |
Codifies the Rideshare Grant Program, Special Needs Grant Program, FRIB, FRAP, and the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Grant Program at the Department of Transportation.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The special needs grant program is particularly important and the rideshare program is well established, it makes sense to codify these into permanent law. Change requested for the terms of FRIB loans from 10 years to 20 years. Codifying these grants recognizes the importance of these transportation programs. Please consider increasing funding for these programs. Bike ped program is an important part of the transportation budget and funds important infrastructure to keep bicyclists and pedestrians safe.