The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that is responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, and ferries. The FTA also sets standards and guidelines for the design, construction, and operation of public transit systems, and works to ensure the safety and reliability of these systems.
The FTA provides funding to local transit agencies through a variety of programs, including the Capital Investment Grants Program, which helps fund the construction and expansion of transit systems, and the Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program, which helps fund the purchase of buses and the construction of bus facilities. The FTA also administers the Transit Asset Management Program, which helps transit agencies maintain and improve their existing infrastructure and equipment.
In addition to its work with local transit agencies, the FTA also conducts research and development on innovative transit technologies and practices, and promotes the use of public transportation as a way to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. The FTA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has regional offices throughout the United States.