Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund

Background

Section 122 of HB 2017 Transportation Funding Package established a new dedicated source of funding for improving or expanding public transportation service in Oregon. This new funding source is called the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund, or STIF. The Public Transportation Division, or PTD, has developed programs and policies to implement the STIF under the oversight of the Oregon Transportation Commission. ODOT staff developed the STIF programs with significant input from the Oregon State Public Transportation Advisory Committee, public transportation providers, and other interested stakeholders. STIF Fact Sheets in both English and Spanish are located on the right navigation bar.

STIF Legislative Report

On Friday, January 31, the Oregon Transportation Commission submitted the STIF Legislative Report on progress and outcomes, consistent with the requirements of HB 2017 to the Joint Committee on Transportation. This 10-page report includes data about service improvements that have occurred after one quarter of funding and improvements that are anticipated by the end of the 19-21 biennium. This data shows ODOT and public transportation providers across Oregon are successfully implementing the STIF program. This report has been formatted for ADA and translated in Spanish. Supporting material includes a one-page document that shows key STIF data, photos, and quotes from people that are benefiting from the public transportation improvements. This document has also been formatted for ADA and translated in Spanish.

Solicitation Schedule

Learn how to apply for these funds on the ODOT Public Transit Funding Opportunities web page.

STIF Resources

The Oregon "transit tax" is a state payroll tax equal to one-tenth of 1 percent. The Transit Tax is the sole revenue source for STIF. The state will estimate the total funding amount annually. Actual revenues will vary based on transit tax collections.

STIF revenues are allocated across four funds.

Formula Fund

The Formula Fund receives 90 percent of STIF funds. ODOT disburses Formula funds to mass transit districts, transportation districts, or counties without either a mass transit or transportation district, and to federally-recognized tribes based on formula allocation.

Formula Fund Resources:

STIF Plan Guidance and Resources (FY 2021-23)

Quarterly Reporting Guidance (FY 2019-21)

Annual Reporting Guidance (FY 2019-21)

Formula Disbursements and Estimates (FY 2019-21)

STIF Plan Guidance and Resources (FY 2019-21)

Discretionary Fund and Intercommunity Discretionary Fund

The Discretionary Fund receives 5 percent of STIF funds. ODOT awards Discretionary funds to public transportation service providers based on a competitive grant process.

The Intercommunity Discretionary Fund receives 4 percent of STIF funds. ODOT awards Intercommunity funds to public transportation service providers to improve public transportation between two or more communities based on a competitive grant process.

Discretionary Fund Resources:

STIF Discretionary and Statewide Transit Network Grant Awards for FY 2019-21, July 18, 2019

Recipient Reporting Resources (FY 2019-21)

Application Review and Public Comment (FY 2019-21)

Application Guidance Resources

Technical Resource Center

ODOT uses 1 percent of STIF funds to establish and administer a statewide public transportation technical resource center to assist public transportation providers in rural areas and also to administer STIF.

Adopted STIF Rules

The Oregon Transportation Commission adopted the Oregon Administrative Rules to implement the STIF on June 22, 2018 and the rules became effective on July 1, 2018. Potential funding applicants should review the General and relevant program rules (Formula or Discretionary) to determine funding eligibility, application processes, and other requirements.

General rules that apply to all three funds (Chapter 732, Division 40),
Formula Fund rules (Chapter 732, Division 42), and the
Discretionary Fund and Intercommunity Discretionary Fund rules (Chapter 732, Division 44).

Resources: