Rural Transit Solutions Fund

Details
Category: Monday Memo
Published: Monday, 16 August 2021 13:45

On August 3, 2021, the Government of Canada announced the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, the first federal fund to target the development of transit solutions in rural communities. It is making $250 million in federal funding available over 5 years, beginning in 2021, to support the development of locally-driven and right fit transit solutions that will help people living in rural communities get to work, school, health appointments, run errands and visit loved ones.

From on-demand services, to publicly-owned, electric vehicle ride shares, and volunteer community car-pooling, funding will help rural and remote, Northern and Indigenous communities and eligible organizations across Canada develop and offer new public transit options to their residents.

Eligible applicants can seek:

Grants of up to $50,000 in support of project planning and design;
Contributions up to $3 million to help cover capital costs (e.g. purchase of a vehicle or digital platforms); and up to $5 million to support clean transit solutions (e.g. for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle(s)).

From August 6 – October 7, 2021, eligible applicants can apply to the Rural Transit Solutions Fund for a planning and design grant. Additionally in the coming weeks, eligible applicants will be able to apply to the Rural Transit Solutions Fund for a capital project. INFC expects to issue subsequent calls for proposals in 2022.

The Rural Transit Solutions Fund also supports reconciliation by improving the safety of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited individuals who live in rural and remote areas. A minimum of 10% of the total $250 million funding envelope will be allocated to Indigenous projects being led by and for Indigenous populations and communities.

For more information on the fund, please visit https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html or for questions about the program or the application process, please contact Infrastructure Canada at .