- Federal Transit Administration
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Federal Transit Administration Agency overview Formed July 9, 1964 Headquarters Washington, D.C. Agency executive Peter Rogoff, Administrator Parent agency Department of Transportation Website fta.dot.gov The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT. Headed by an Administrator who is appointed by the President of the United States, the FTA functions through a Washington, D.C., headquarters office and ten regional offices which assist transit agencies in all states, the District of Columbia, and the territories. Until 1991, it was known as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA).
Public transportation includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, monorail, passenger ferry boats, trolleys, inclined railways, and people movers. The federal government, through the FTA, provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems. The FTA oversees grants to state and local transit providers, primarily through its ten regional offices. These grantees are responsible for managing their programs in accordance with federal requirements, and the FTA is responsible for ensuring that grantees follow federal mandates along with statutory and administrative requirements.
Contents
History
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy sent a major transportation message to the U.S. Congress. It called for the establishment of a program of federal capital assistance for mass transportation. Said President Kennedy: "To conserve and enhance values in existing urban areas is essential. But at least as important are steps to promote economic efficiency and livability in areas of future development. Our national welfare therefore requires the provision of good urban transportation, with the properly balanced use of private vehicles and modern mass transport to help shape as well as serve urban growth."
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 into law, which passed the House by a vote of 212-to-129 and cleared the Senate 52-41, on July 9, 1964, creating the Urban Mass Transportation Administration.[1] The agency was mandated to provide federal assistance for mass transit projects, including the initial $375 million in capital assistance over three years mandated by the act. In 1991, the agency was renamed the Federal Transit Administration.[2]
Administrators
The current FTA Administrator, since May 2009, is Peter M. Rogoff.[3] Below is a list of past Administrators.[4]
- Paul L. Sitton, 1966–69
- Carlos C. Villarreal, 1969–73
- Frank C. Herringer, 1973–75
- Robert E. Patricelli, 1975–77
- Richard S. Page, 1977–79
- Theodore C. Lutz, 1979–81
- Arthur E. Teele, 1981–83
- Ralph L. Stanley, 1983–87
- Alfred A. DelliBovi, 1987–89
- Brian H. Clymer, 1989–93
- Gordon J. Linton, 1993–99
- Nuria I. Fernandez (acting), 1999–2001
- Jennifer L. Dorn, 2001–2006
- James S. Simpson, 2006–2008
Notable programs
- Metropolitan & Statewide Planning (5303, 5304, 5305)
- Urbanized Formula Funding (5307)
- Clean Fuels Grant Program (5308)
- Major Capital Investments (New Starts & Small Starts) (5309(b)(1))
- Fixed Guideway Modernization (5309 (b)(2))
- Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (5310)
- Formula Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas (5311)
- Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (5311(c))
- Rural Transit Assistance Program (5311(b)(3))
- Transit Cooperative Research Program (5313)
- National Research & Technology Program (5314)
- Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (5316)
- New Freedom Program (5317)
- Bus and Bus Facilities (5309, 5318)
- Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program (5320)
- Alternatives Analysis (5339)
- University Transportation Centers Program (TEA-21 5505)
- Over-the-Road Bus Program
- TIGER (USDOT)
- TIGGER Program
- Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Capital Grants Program
See also
References
- ^ "The Beginnings of Federal Assistance for Public Transportation". Federal Transit Administration. http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/14103.html. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Urban Transportation Planning In the United States: An Historical Overview". U.S. Department of Transportation. http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/clearinghouse/docs/utp/ch1.htm. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ "Peter M. Rogoff, Administrator". Federal Transit Administration. http://www.fta.dot.gov/12318_9772.html. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Heads of the Operating Administrations, U.S. Department of Transportation". Office of the Historian, U.S. DOT. September 24, 2008. http://ntl.bts.gov/historian/service.htm. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
External links
Agencies of the United States Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration · Federal Highway Administration · Federal Railroad Administration · Federal Transit Administration · U.S. Maritime Administration · Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration · National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · Research and Innovative Technology Administration · Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation · Surface Transportation Board · Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance
Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Office of Aviation and International Affairs · Office of Transportation PolicyCategories:- Public transportation in the United States
- Government agencies established in 1964
- United States Department of Transportation agencies
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