The Urbanized Area Formula Program and the Needs of Small Transit Intensive Cities

Dear Colleague:

I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) report on The Urbanized Area Formula Program and the Needs of Small Transit Intensive Cities, which we have prepared in accordance with Section 3033 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21). This report was approved by Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater on September 29, 2000.

As required under TEA-21, this report is the product of a study to determine whether the needs of small urbanized areas with unusually high levels of transit service are reflected in the Urbanized Area Formula Program established by 49 USC §5307. The study concludes that sufficient issues exist to suggest that changes to the FTA formula program should be considered as part of the next reauthorization cycle; however, the basic formula apportionments should continue to reflect underlying transit needs.

If you have any questions regarding the content of this report, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Nuria I. Fernandez
Acting Administrator