New Starts Project Planning & Development
The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) discretionary New Starts program is the federal government's primary financial resource for supporting locally-planned, implemented, and operated transit "guideway" capital investments. The FTA's New Starts program has helped to make possible hundreds of new or extended transit fixed guideway systems across the country. These rail and bus investments, in turn, have improved the mobility of millions of Americans; have helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the areas they serve; and have fostered the development of viable, safer, and more livable communities.
Projects eligible for New Starts (49 USC §5309) funding include any fixed guideway system which uses and occupies a separate right-of-way, or rail line, for the exclusive use of mass transportation and other high occupancy vehicles, or uses a fixed cantenary system and a right-of-way usable by other forms of transportation. This includes, but is not limited to, rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, automated guideway transit, people movers, and exclusive facilities for buses (such as bus rapid transit) and other high occupancy vehicles. The law directs FTA to evaluate and rate candidate New Starts projects as an input to federal funding decisions and at specific milestones throughout each project’s planning and development.
What’s New -- Proposed Rulemaking (as of Jan 25, 2012)
New Starts NPRM Outreach Sessions - Proposed Rulemaking to Streamline New Starts and Small Starts Process
- Administrator Policy (Dear Colleague) Letter
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking FR Notice
- Proposed Policy Guidance FR Notice
- Proposed New Starts/Small Starts Policy Guidance
Program Overview
- Major Capital Investments (New Starts & Small Starts) (5309(b)(1))
- Introduction to New Starts
- New Starts Fact Sheets - This series of fact sheets focuses on the New Starts project development process. Please click on the links below to view the current fact sheets:
New Starts Project Evaluation
- FY 2012 New Starts and Small Starts Evaluation and Rating Process - July 2010
- Guidelines and Standards for Assessing Transit-Supportive Land Use
- Guidelines and Standards for Assessing Local Financial Commitment
