MAP-21: Impacts to New Starts and Small Starts

Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee

Mark W. FuhrmannProgram Director, New Starts

February 4, 2013

• 5309 Fixed Guideway or New Starts program has significant changes

• New programs emphasize formula funding, safety, and state of good repair (asset preservation and management)

• FY 2013 transit authorization $10.6B compared to $10.5B previously

MAP-21 Transit Programs

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• New Starts projects defined as a new fixed-guideway capital project with a budget exceeding $250M and federal funding exceeding $75M

• Small Starts projects defined as a new fixed-guideway capital project with a budget less than $250M and federal funding less than $75M

Transit Programs

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Federal Funding Participation

Hiawatha: $413 millionNorthstar: $162 millionCentral: $478 millionTotal: $1.053 billion

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LRT Capital Funding Shares

30%

10%10%

50%

CTIBRRAStateFTA

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New Starts Funding Levels

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

(in millions)

FY 2009 and 2010 include ARRA fundingFY 2013 and 2014 MAP-21 funding authorization

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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Definition

BRT New Starts Projects• Operate in a separated right-of-way dedicated for

public transportation use during peak periods• Include features that emulate rail services

BRT Small Starts• Does not specify operation in a dedicated right-of-way• Defined as a corridor based project with features that

emulate rail service

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Streamlines Application Steps to Enter New Starts Process

• Project sponsor submits a letter to FTA describing the project and requesting entry into Project Development

• Concurrently, the project sponsor initiates activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• FTA is required to respond in 45 days

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Streamlines Environmental Review

• Coordinates and accelerates Federal agency reviews

• Widens eligibility of “Categorical Exclusions”

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Six Statutory Justification Criteria:

• Mobility improvements

• Environmental benefits

• Congestion relief

• Economic development

• Land use policies that support public transportation

• Cost effectiveness measured by cost per rider

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Employee Pre-Tax Transit Benefit

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2012 2013

Transit per Month $125 $240

Parking per Month $240 $240

More Information

www.centralcorridor.orgwww.swlrt.org

Mark FuhrmannProgram Director – New Starts Rail Projects

651-602-1942mark.fuhrmann@metrotransit.org

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