The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) program was introduced by the
House Bill 2017 Transportation Funding Package to fund public transportation improvements across Oregon. STIF funds may be used for public transportation purposes that support the effective planning, deployment, operation, and administration of public transportation programs. STIF funds may not be used for light rail capital expenses, and are not intended to supplant local funding sources to maintain existing services.
Investments from the STIF program have helped to make transportation in Oregon more equitable and affordable by supporting reduced-fare programs, expanded service coverage, and increased service frequency to low-income communities. This program has advanced greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts by funding the transition to low-emission vehicles. Funds have also supported expanded connectivity across Oregon's multimodal network through transit service, infrastructure, and technology improvements.
At its inception, the STIF program was funded solely by the Oregon "transit tax," which is a state payroll tax equal to one-tenth of 1 percent. Effective July 1, 2023, The STIF program was consolidated with the Special Transportation Fund (STF) program. The STF program was funded by ID card fees, non-highway gas tax, and cigarette tax revenues. Those revenues and the goals of the STF program are now part of the STIF program. The total funding amount will be estimated annually, and actual revenues will vary based on transit tax collections.
After allocations to ODOT for program administration and Projects of Statewide Significance, STIF revenues are allocated across four programs:
- 90% to STIF Formula
- 5% to STIF Discretionary
- 4% to STIF Intercommunity Discretionary
- 1% to Technical Resource Center
Key Terms on Recipient Eligibility
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Qualified Entity (QE) - mass transit districts, transportation districts, counties without either a mass transit or transportation district, and federally-recognized tribes.
Map of ODOT QEs.
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Public Transportation Service Provider (PTSP) - cities, counties, Qualified Entities, special districts, intergovernmental entities, and any other political subdivision or municipal or public corporation that provides public transportation services.
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Sub-Recipient – any entity that has entered into an agreement with a recipient in order to complete one or more tasks specified in the agreement between the recipient and ODOT. These entities include, but are not limited to, nonprofits, private for-profits, and public entities.