Tribal Transit Mobility
The purpose of the Tribal Transit Mobility Grant program is to provide for the transportation needs of tribal communities.
This grant is supported by state funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) (100 percent). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
The Legislature created this program as part of the Move Ahead Washington transportation funding package. Tribal Transit Mobility Grant funding is identified under the spending summary at up to $10 million per biennium for the next 16 years.
Grant award amount
The Legislature funded nearly $8.6 million for the 2025-2027 biennium to support this program.
Eligible applicants
Federally recognized tribes.
Eligible projects
Grants for federally recognized tribes may be for transit-related purposes.
New applicants may only propose two-year projects. Applicants that have already received WSDOT grant funding may propose two- or four-year projects. Examples of eligible project types include:
Vehicles and equipment
Projects that purchase assets such as vehicles, equipment, technology, and bus shelters.
Planning
Projects such as feasibility studies, coordination, or other planning activities that address the needs of applicants and the communities they serve. Examples may include but are not limited to transit feasibility studies, service planning, capital asset assessment, and zero-emission fleet transition planning.
Operating
Projects directly related to system operation and maintenance such as operating assistance for public transportation services, operating assistance for paratransit/special needs transportation services, and feeder-bus service for the intercity network. Building and vehicle maintenance costs are eligible operating expenses. This may also include training related to new transportation technologies and other transportation-related opportunities.
Mobility management
Projects focused on information services that help providers and passengers coordinate and understand available options. Mobility management also includes short-range planning, management activities, or activities for improving coordination among public transportation providers and other transportation services.
Small construction
Construction project requests up to $2.5 million per application, such as bus stop upgrades, a new facility roof, or a small park and ride.
Large construction projects and ferry vessel purchases are not eligible.
Match requirements
No match is required for the Tribal Transit Mobility Grant Program.
Evaluation criteria
WSDOT grants analysts will review submitted applications for completeness and eligibility before the applications are forwarded for evaluation.
WSDOT will convene a panel of subject-matter experts to evaluate and rank each application based on the extent that the proposed project:
- Establishes, preserves, or improves public transportation services.
- Addresses a recognized need within a community and reflects a community-led process of coordination and input.
- Defines specific performance measures the applicant will use to determine the project’s success.
- Connects to other transportation systems and/or modes.
- Appears to be feasible as described.
- Describes sufficient applicant experience managing transportation projects and grant awards.
- Describes sufficient financial capability and resources by the applicant to implement and carry out the project either within two (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027) or four (July 1, 2027- June 30, 2029) years, depending on the length and scope of the proposed project.
- Contributes to the state’s effort to maintain the number of public transportation vehicles within their minimum useful life.
Sign up for grant updates
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Awards
The table below shows 16 Tribal Transit Mobility projects funded for nearly $8.6 million and awarded for the 2025-2027 biennium.
Continuing four-year Tribal Transit Mobility awards applied for through the Consolidated Grant program in the 2023-2025 biennium are listed on the Consolidated Grant program webpage.
| Organization | County/counties | Project title | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Colville Reservation | Ferry, Okanogan, Stevens | Sustain Transportation for tribal elders and the general public | $721,459 |
| Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Colville Reservation | Ferry, Okanogan, Stevens | Updates to transit maintenance and storage facilities | $400,000 |
| Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation | Yakima | Sustain the Pahto fixed-route system | $286,441 |
| Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation | Walla Walla | Whistler expansion operations and maintenance* | $449,618 |
| Cowlitz Indian Tribe | Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis | Cowlitz Tribal Transit Service operations assistance | $450,000 |
| Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe | Clallam, Jefferson | Replacement of two light-duty vans for Jamestown Healing Clinic | $304,150 |
| Lummi Indian Business Council | Whatcom | Expansion of operations to include weekend service | $214,310 |
| Lummi Indian Business Council | Whatcom | Development of Lummi Nation transit facility | $930,150 |
| Makah Tribal Council | Clallam | Construction of four bus stop shelters and upgrade others for ADA accessibility | $100,000 |
| Samish Nation | Skagit | Youth and elder transportation program | $154,977 |
| Samish Nation | Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom | Driver funding for elder's transportation project | $342,330 |
| Samish Nation | Skagit | Purchase one ADA 14-passenger van to expand service for youth, elders, and veterans demand-response service | $188,581 |
| Snoqualmie Indian Tribe | King, Snohomish | Support for travel instruction, marketing, education, and training needs | $333,000 |
| Spokane Tribe of Indians | Stevens | Sustain The Moccasin Express operations | $2,444,000 |
| Squaxin Island Tribe | Mason | Sustain Tribal program, helping community members, elders, and people with disabilities by providing reliable transportation | $676,892 |
| Swinomish Indian Tribal Community | Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom | Swinomish elder and tribal mobility program | $305,264 |
| Swinomish Indian Tribal Community | Skagit | Purchase two mini vans, one cargo van, and one ADA-accessible lift-equipped 14-passenger van | $288,000 |
* Indicates a four-year continuing project that began in the 2023-2025 biennium.
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