Transit Manager's Toolkit

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The BIA’s Division of Transportation serves as the lead liaison to the other federal transportation agencies (United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Federal Lands Highway, and Federal Transit Administration) and houses the Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee (TTPCC). The TTPCC is the recommending committee established by federal regulations, to provide input and recommendations to the BIA and the FHWA concerning the Tribal Transportation Program as detailed in Title 23 U.S.C. 202. The committee consists of 24 Tribal regional representatives (two from each BIA region). 



The Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) is jointly managed and administered under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between FHWA and BIA. (25 CFR 170 Tribal Transportation Program).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT).  The FHWA is responsible for program administration of the Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation Program (FLTTP) and provides oversight for direct funding agreements with federally recognized Tribes. The Tribal Lands portion of the FLTTP is managed by the FHWA’s Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT). This office jointly manages and administers the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) under a memorandum of agreement between FHWA and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

The Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) website is a wealth of information for new Tribal transit managers.  Of particular interest is the Tribal Transportation Program Delivery Guide: A Guide for Tribes with an FHWA Tribal Transportation Program Agreement (Updated March 17, 2023). This publication contains essential information for Tribal transit managers and their local Tribal government counterparts.  The stated purpose of the guide is to “provide guidance to eligible Tribes entering into, or already having, a TTPA with FWHA. The Tribal Transportation Program Delivery Guide clarifies the terms, roles and responsibilities, and provisions for the Tribes and FHWA as outlined in the TTPA. It assists Tribal governments in the administration of the TTP, and sets out the processes and procedures used by FHWA to carry out its program management and oversight responsibilities. In addition, the Tribal Transportation Program Delivery Guide may serve as a technical resource for Tribal governments, Federal agencies, and State and local governments.”

The  OTT website also includes links to up-to-date resources and training opportunities:

• Transportation Funding Opportunities for Tribal Nations (Updated: June 1, 2023) 
• FHWA OTT Webinars 

At the time of this writing, “The Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) administers the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) and provides stewardship and oversight for direct funding agreements with 135 federally recognized Tribes. The OTT also provides support for all FHWA activities affecting Tribal transportation. This support includes the administration of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grants program awarded to Tribes, and the transfer of funds from States and other local governments to Tribes through the 202(a)(9) transfer process.” Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT)

“The Office of Tribal Transportation distributes Federal Transportation funds as they become available. Tribal Transportation Program formula funds (known as Tribal shares) are sent to Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Some Tribes receive this funding according to their program agreement with FHWA. The Office of Tribal Transportation also sends funds to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Tribes that have made other arrangements to access the program.” Office of Tribal Transportation - Finance 

More in depth information about Tribal shares and planning funds under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is also available at the OTT- Finance webpage.  This site also contains data related to Tribal shares and planning funds from 2017 forward, including the Tribal Shares for FY23 Full Year. 

Additionally, Section 202(a)(9) of title 23, United States Code authorizes OTT to receive funds from a state, county, or local government to be credited to appropriations available for the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP). For more information about this process, see these the following documents on the OTT-Finance webpage: Additional information regarding Fund Transfer Procedures pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 202(a)(9) and Fund Transfer Agreement Template for 202(a)(9).

• OTT - Finance also offers Financial Administrative Technical Assistance through the FHWA Tribal Coordinator or the FHWA Tribal Transportation Financial Specialist. According to the FHWA website, the technical assistance or support provided is meant to be a collaborative effort. “Activities may include reviewing a standard operating procedure, sharing best practices, or finding a unique resource to address a particular challenge.”
  

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is an agency within the U.S. DOT. The primary role of the FTA is to provide financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including rural and Tribal transit systems. FTA’s page for Tribal Governments includes links to information about the numerous FTA programs that are currently available to federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This site also provides a current list of all available funding resources and access to updated information about specific requirements, funding cycles, and award processes. Fiscal Year 2022 Tribal Transit Project Selections may also provide opportunities for case studies or to study best practices.

On March 28, 2023, FTA announced the availability of $8.9 million in competitive grants for the Fiscal Year 2023 Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit Competitive) Program. See the Tribal Governance section of the toolkit for additional information about federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities. 

Federal funding for Tribal transit in rural areas comes mainly from the FTA through the Section 5311 Rural Areas Formula Program, 49 U.S.C. Section 5311, which includes several sub-programs, including:

• Tribal Transit Competitive Program, 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(c)(1)
• Tribal Transit Formula Program, 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(j)
• Appalachian Development Public Transportation Assistance Program (ADPTAP), 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(c)(3) As of this writing, this program is not accepting new submissions, ADPTAP is in the Bilateral Infrastructure Law (BIL), and ADPTAP FY 2023 funding was published. 
• Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(b)(3)
  

The FTA provides 15 Tribal transit liaisons in each of the 10 regional offices with the explicit purpose of supporting Tribal transit. The following table describes the areas served by each region. This information is current as of May 2023, and can be found online:

Several support programs are available for Tribes providing public transportation services.  Three of the most significant programs are the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program Tribal Transit Formula Program (TTP), the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Tribal Transit Competitive Program, and the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP).

The purpose of the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) is to provide Tribes and Tribal organizations with greater control, flexibility, and decision-making authority over U.S. DOT funds used to carry out Tribal transportation programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs) in Tribal communities.



The TTSGP was authorized in the Fixing America Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) and codified effective October 1, 2020 (23 U.S.C. Section 207). In accordance with 49 CFR 29.100, a Tribe is eligible to participate in the Program if:

(1) The Tribe requests participation in the Program by resolution or other official action by the governing body of the Tribe; and

(2) The U.S. DOT determines, based on the evidence submitted by the Tribe, that, over the 3 most recent fiscal years, the Tribe has demonstrated financial stability and financial management capability, and transportation program management capability in accordance with the criteria specified in 23 U.S.C. 207(b) and 49 CFR 29.100. 

More detailed information about satisfying TTSGP evidence standards is available at 49 CFR 29.100 What are the criteria for eligibility to participate in the Program?

The following funds may be included in a funding agreement through the TTSGP:

• Tribal Transportation Program funds
• Transit Program funds
• Discretionary or competitive grant funds
• Title 23 (Federal-aid Highway) funds
• Section 5311 funds awarded to a state

Once a Tribe is a part of the TTSGP, they would subsequently be responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities of the programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs), ensure financial and procurement standards are in place and being followed, as well as records management and property standards. 

There are multiple benefits for Tribes participating in the TTSGP, including, but not limited to the following:

• Self-governance
• Administrative streamlining
• Single funding agreement
• Advance payment of funds
• Formula funds may be invested
• Department rules, policies, manuals, guidance, and circulars do not apply unless agreed to by a Tribe
• Funds may be used as local match in other federal and non-federal programs
• Negotiation of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) Title I provisions in a funding agreement between U.S. DOT and a Tribe or Tribal organization for the purpose of carrying out Tribal transportation programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs).
• The Tribe can carry out its employment and contracting preference laws
• Reporting requirements are negotiated and included in the funding agreement. See 49 CFR 29.307 What terms must a funding agreement include? and 49 CFR 29.518 What reporting must a Tribe provide? 
• Access to federal supply sources
• Waiver of TTSGP regulations
• Liability coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act
• Appeal and alternate dispute resolution (ADR) regarding pre-award and post-award actions
• Technical assistance

More information about the TTSGP may be found at the U.S. DOT Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program Webpage.

The Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) (25 CFR 170) was established in 2013 under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).  Prior to MAP-21, TTP was known as the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) Program. In 2021 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) continued the TTP with no changes to the formula allocations for Tribal public transit services. 

BIA and FHWA jointly administer the distribution of TTP funds as directed under 23 U.S.C. 202(b) and other applicable laws and regulations. See the sections on Financial Management and Federal Programs and Grants above for more information on how these federal agencies work together. 

The TTP is a set-aside of the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 US Code Section 5311) and has two main components: 

• Formula funding is apportioned to Tribes who report transit data to the National Transit Database (NTD). Census data is also used under the formula program.
• Competitive funding is made available in a Notice of Funding Opportunity each year.

The three tiers under the TTP formula include:

1. Tier 1: 50 percent of the available funds are apportioned based on vehicle revenue miles
2. Tier 2: 25 percent of the available funds are apportioned among Indian Tribes providing at least two hundred thousand annual vehicle revenue miles
3. Tier 3: 25 percent of the available funds are apportioned among Indian Tribes providing public transportation on Tribal lands where more than one thousand low-income persons reside

In federal fiscal year 2022, the TTP was funded at $35 million and competitive program at $8.75 million. For FY 2022-2026, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) increased funding for the TTP by approximately 83%. Also, instead of a flat amount each year, the TTP now grows with the Rural Transit Program. Details on funding by fiscal year may be found on the FTA’s Tribal Transit Formula Grants - 5311(c)(1)(B) and Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Competitive Program web pages.

The FTA’s Funding Opportunities for Tribal Entities website contains the most current information on all facets of working with the FTA to obtain funding through numerous FTA programs for which federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are eligible direct recipients and subrecipients (state pass-through).  While recent changes to legislation have not produced changes to the distribution methodology for Section 5311 funds, the following links to the FTA’s funding websites are frequently updated with “What’s New” articles about new program initiatives and will remain essential to Tribal transit managers. 

Contract Mechanisms - The FHWA’s Tribal Transportation Program Data Report for 2021, Attachment A: TTP Program Summary and the FHWA OTT Webinar: TTP 101-Tribal transportation Program Overview, provide useful descriptions of the contracting mechanisms available to eligible TTP recipients.  Tribes with a Tribal Transportation Program Agreement (TTPA) may receive their funding in advance directly from FHWA and are responsible for managing their TTP. The FHWA is responsible for the stewardship and oversight of the provided funds and ensures that the program is carried out in accordance with the contract and statutory and regulatory requirements. 

Four additional contracting mechanisms are available for Tribes that opt to work directly with BIA. Those options are summarized below:

• BIA Direct Service Agreements – In consultation, the BIA is responsible carrying out all aspects of TTP on behalf of the Tribe, including delivery, stewardship, and oversight.  In FY 2021, 22 Tribes were reported as having Direct Service Agreements with BIA for their TTP.
• BIA PL93-638/Self-Determination Contracts – Contracts are developed between BIA and a Tribe in accordance with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Public Law 93-638. Generally, each contract is for a specific project or activity. The Tribe is provided TTP funding on a contract-by-contract basis from BIA and is responsible for carrying out the work identified. The BIA is responsible for the stewardship and oversight of the provided funds and ensures that the program is carried out in accordance with the contract and statutory and regulatory requirements. In FY 2021, 174 Tribes were reported as having Self-Determination Contracts.
• Self-Governance Compacts – Compacts are developed between the Tribe and the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Office of Self-Governance. The Tribe receives its funding in advance from DOI and manages its TTP in a way that is similar to FHWA Program Agreements. However, these compacts include certain protections and other options afforded them in accordance with the ISDEAA. The DOI is responsible for the stewardship and oversight of the provided funds and ensures that the program is carried out in accordance with the compact and statutory and regulatory requirements. In FY 2021, 38 Tribes were reported as having Self-Governance Compacts.
• BIA Government to Government (G2G) Agreements –A Tribe operating under a G2G Agreement receives its funding in advance from BIA and is responsible for managing its TTP. The BIA is responsible for the stewardship and oversight of the provided funds and ensures that the program is carried out in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements. In FY 2021, 214 Tribes were reported as having G2G Agreements.

The following chart, Funding for Tribal Transit Programs, is meant to provide a quick reference for Tribal transit managers. Some of the funding opportunities listed below are specific to Tribal transit systems; others are open to all rural transit systems.  Links and shortcuts to more detailed information in the Toolkit and to outside resources are provided in the chart.  The reader is encouraged to visit the Budgeting and Finance 101 section of the Toolkit for a brief introduction to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) financial management requirements for Section 5311 subrecipients. More detailed information can be found in the National RTAP training modules Fundamental Financial Management for Rural Transit Agencies and Advanced Topics in Financial Management for Rural Transit Providers.

In addition to Section 5311, FTA also apportions out funds to rural areas through the Section 5310 program (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities), and Section 5339 program (Bus and Bus Facilities). There are also a number of FTA-funded discretionary/competitive programs available to Tribal governments such as the FTA's Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) program (listed below) which supports projects that will address the transportation challenges faced by areas of persistent poverty. 

Information about the following programs may be found in Budgeting and Finance/Potential Funding Sources for Rural Public Transportation section of the Toolkit and the FTA’s FTA Programs for Tribal Recipients website.

• Areas of Persistent Poverty Program (AoPP) (Previously known as the Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) Program) 
• Capital Investment Grants (CIG) – 49 U.S.C. Section 5309  
• Enhancing Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities - 49 U.S.C. Section 5310 
• Formula Grants for Rural Areas - 49 U.S.C. Section 5311 
• Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program 49 U.S.C. Section 5339(b), IIJA Section 30018 and Low or No Emission Vehicle Program 49 U.S.C. 5339(c), IIJA Section 30018. 
• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant program. Previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants. 

The programs that follow are specifically related to access and mobility. More information about these programs may be found in Operations and Planning/Coordination and Mobility Management Section of the Transit Managers Toolkit and the FTA’s FTA Programs for Tribal Recipients website.

• Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) 49 U.S.C. Section 5312 Public Transportation Innovation. 
• Enhancing Mobility Innovation (EMI) 49 U.S.C. Section 5312 Public Transportation Innovation 
• Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (ICAM) 
• Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) 49 U.S.C. Section 5312 Public Transportation Innovation 
  

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation - Tribal Nations Funding Opportunities. This website includes links to many other federal agency grant programs with funding for Tribal transit, including:



• U.S. Department of Energy: Resources for Projects that Will Advance Workforce Development and Engagement with Tribal Nations
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Community Facilities and Direct Loan and Grant Program
• U.S. Department of Transportation: EV Infrastructure Funding and Financing for Rural Areas.
  

Tribal Transit Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(B)) –  “What’s New” articles, overview of the program, eligible recipients and activities, allocation of funding, FTA Regional Tribal liaisons, coordination with other federal programs – Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), and technical assistance through the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL).

Tribal Transit Competitive Program (49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A)) – “What’s New” articles, overview of the program, annual apportionments, eligible recipients and activities, FTA Regional Tribal liaisons, coordination with other federal programs – Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), and technical assistance through the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL).

IHS does not have a transportation program; however, depending on the needs of the Tribal community and the focus of Tribal leadership a Tribe may choose to provide medical (non-emergency) transportation to assist patients with transportation to clinical appointments under the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program. The CHR Program is an “IHS-funded, Tribally contracted program of well-trained and medically-guided community-based health workers.”(Indian Health Service: Community Health Representative)

The CHR Program defines “transport” as the transportation of a patient, without other means of transport, to and from an IHS or Tribal hospital/clinic when necessary for routine, non-emergency problems, which includes waiting for a patient, such as a dental patient, to finish treatment. If a CHR program chooses to provide transportation, it must be within the local community to and from an IHS or Tribal hospital/clinic for routine, non-emergency problems, to a patient without other means of transportation when necessary. All CHR services must be community-based and a Tribally developed transportation policy must also be in place. CHRs have two key roles: 

1. Care Coordination, Case Management, and System Navigation, and 
2. Providing Direct Service. 

CHR services related to care coordination and system navigation include assisting patients with arranging transportation to appointments and facilitating or coordinating transportation to services. CHR direct services include transporting clients, without other means of transport, to/from medical appointments for routine, non-emergency reasons.



The IHS website also offers an “IHS Updates” page that may be of interest to Tribal transit managers.  IHS also awards annual grants through its Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program. The purpose of this Agreement Program is to support tribes and tribal organizations with the planning and preparation necessary to assume responsibility for providing health care to their tribal members through the Tribal Self-Governance Program

Medicaid is required to make certain that every Medicaid beneficiary who has no other means of transportation has access to transportation needed to receive covered medical care. (42 C.F.R. Section 431.53 Assurance of Transportation) On September 28, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services/Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMS) issued guidance for the provision of Medicaid transportation.  The stated purpose of the guidance, Assurance of Transportation: A Medicaid Transportation Coverage Guide, is to provide “a one stop source of federal requirements and state flexibilities.” This Guide is valuable to Tribal transit managers because it includes a section on Tribal Transportation that speaks to the unique difficulties and barriers that often exist in Tribal communities, as well as the flexibility that states have in designing their Medicaid medical transportation programs to meet the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) beneficiaries. The Guide further acknowledges the experience that Tribes and Tribal organizations have in navigating barriers to needed health care and encourages states to use of existing providers servicing Tribal areas including health programs operated by Indian Health Service, Tribes, and Urban Indian Organizations (I/T/Us). It also states that as governmental entities, Tribes and Tribal organizations are permitted to serve as transportation brokers (42 C.F.R. Section 440.170(a)(4)). 

Additionally, the Guide includes a reminder that “Each state Medicaid agency has an internal Tribal liaison who state agency staff can consult and whom an I/T/U and individual AI/AN Medicaid beneficiaries can contact if they need assistance with accessing transportation. CMS also encourages states to consult with Tribes and Tribal organizations as they review their policies and procedures and evaluate rate methodologies that recognize the unique transportation issues faced by Tribal transportation providers.” Assurance of Transportation: A Medicaid Transportation Coverage Guide

Case Study - Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) - Arizona’s state Medicaid agency, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)  is an example of a state Medicaid agency that, in keeping with the CMS’ guidelines for Tribal transportation (above), has a Tribal Relations Liaison who works with the 22 tribes in Arizona, three Indian Health Service (IHS) areas, Tribally operated health programs and facilities, and urban Indian health organizations.  AHCCCS also has a Tribal Consultation Policy in place with regularly scheduled Tribal consultation meetings. 

AHCCCS has policy in place for assuring medically necessary NEMT services for all Tribal members, including those who are enrolled in the state’s American Indian Health Program (AIHP). The AHCCCS medical transportation program allows Tribal transportation providers, including Tribal transit (public transportation) providers, to enroll as NEMT providers. The AHCCCS NEMT policy and the IHS/Tribal Provider Billing Manual are available online. An example of how AHCCCS NEMT policies recognize the unique transportation issues facing Tribal transportation providers is the exemption to limitations on mileage for trips to IHS/638 facilities. While not specific to Tribal transportation, equine and helicopter NEMT (providers may use horses to transport an eligible member to ground accessible transportation) is also provided under specific conditions. In addition to traditional taxi-based NEMT, AHCCCS NEMT policy requiring that NEMT providers offer public transportation as an option, in the form of transportation passes, to certain beneficiaries requesting NEMT services to travel to and from AHCCCS approved services will also be of interest to Tribal transit managers.

AHCCCS also maintains an NEMT Providers website that includes information related to Tribal business licenses.

Tribal transit managers are encouraged to review the Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Contracts section of the Transit Managers Toolkit for basic information about working with state Medicaid programs.

The U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) has an Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR), consisting of a team that works to strengthen relationships between the VA, Tribal governments, and other federal, state, private, and non-profit stakeholders to respectfully serve Veterans across Indian Country. The OTGR focuses on three main goals: facilitating VA’s Tribal Consultation policy, facilitating increased access to health care, and promoting economic sustainability. 



Veterans Transportation Service – The Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) was created to ensure all qualifying Veterans have access to care through transportation. The program provides free transportation services to and from participating VA medical centers (VAMCs). The VA’s website includes a recently updated list of participating VA Medical Centers. Coordinated public transit-human service planning often comes into play and is discussed in the next section. 

The VA also works with Indian Health Services to reimburse eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans for direct health care services. The VA Reimbursement Agreement program was established in 2012, and in 2022, the program expanded to include Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). As such, American Indian and Alaska native Veterans may receive broader access to direct health care in culturally sensitive settings.

There are several instances of State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) supporting Tribal Nations in various public transportation initiatives. Whether it is through funding, technical support, coordination support, or training, State Departments of Transportation may support Tribes in all manner of ways, increasing opportunities and coordination throughout a given region. For a full list of State DOTs with Tribal Department of Transportation Contacts, see the FHWA website. The following are examples of how State DOTs are supporting Tribal transportation efforts in their state.

The ADOT Tribal Consultation Policy (updated March 2021) policy is intended to guide ADOT personnel when interacting with the Native Nations/Tribal Governments in Arizona. An online training course, ADOT Tribal Transportation Consultation Training and accompanying Handbook is available from the ADOT Learning Center Online Training page. 

ADOT’s efforts to address Arizona Tribal Transportation are based on the following major factors:

• There are 22 federally recognized Indian Tribes, Communities and Native Nations in Arizona with Tribal land encompassing approximately 27,736,000 acres or 28% of the state land base.
• There are seven Tribes located out-of-state with Aboriginal and ancestral interests in Arizona.
• The State Highway System includes 6,148 centerline miles of which 1,235 traverse Tribal land.
• There are 14 Tribal airports and seven Tribal public transit systems situated within Tribal communities throughout Arizona.
• Both state and Tribal governments have the common goal of providing efficient transportation systems for the safety and welfare of the traveling public. Arizona Tribal Transportation website.
  

Caltrans has a branch within its Office of Equity, Sustainability, and Tribal Affairs. The Native American Liaison Branch (NALB) “works with other Caltrans Tribal Relations Staff to provide leadership and direction for the Department’s effort to improve the government-to-government relationships with Tribal governments by serving as liaisons between Caltrans; the 109 Federally-recognized Tribes in California; state, local and regional transportation agencies; and other key stakeholders.” NALB focus is on the following elements:

• Tribal transportation planning, mobility & safety needs, funding sources, and technical assistance.
• Primary government to government contact for the Department.
• Addresses Tribal Employment Rights matters.
• Administers the Caltrans Native American Advisory Committee (NAAC) Meetings.
• Can assist and direct all formal inquiries on Tribal government matters.
  

In 2009, the New Mexico State Legislature adopted the State-Tribal Collaboration Act. In compliance with the Act, NMDOT specifically created the role of Tribal Liaison. “The purpose of Tribal Liaison at NMDOT is to maintain the government-to-government relationships outlined in New Mexico's State-Tribal Collaboration Act and to assure compliance with federal Tribal coordination requirements.” NMDOT Native American Tribal Liaison website. 

In addition to establishing a full-time Tribal Liaison, the State-Tribal Collaboration Act also required implementation of an NMDOT policy that:



• Promotes effective communication and collaboration between the state agency and Indian Nations, Tribes or Pueblos
• Promotes positive government-to-government relations between the state and Indian Nations, Tribes or Pueblos
• Promotes cultural competency in providing effective services to American Indians or Alaska Natives
• Establishes a method for notifying employees of the state agency of the provisions of the State-Tribal Collaboration Act and related NMDOT policy
  

WSDOT’s Tribal Transit Mobility Grant Program was created by the Washington State legislature to provide for the transportation needs of Tribal communities throughout the state. There are four project types that agencies may request funding for:



• Capital—Asset-based projects that require the purchase of vehicles, equipment, and bus shelters.
• Planning—Feasibility studies, coordination, and/or other planning activities that address the needs of applicants and communities served. 
• Operations and Maintenance—Those projects directly related to system operation. May be for transportation services, paratransit/special needs transportation, feeder bus service for intercity networks, maintenance costs, and some training expenditures. 
• Mobility Management—Funding for projects that are information services based; that help providers and passengers coordinate and understand options. May include mobility management planning, and activities for improving coordination among providers. 
  

WisDOT's Tribal affairs initiative works exclusively on Tribal relations and all transportation related issues affecting Tribal communities. The Tribal Elderly Transportation Assistance Program provides the 11 federally recognized Tribes of Wisconsin with financial assistance to provide transportation services to Tribal elders both on and off the reservations. Eligible expenditures include:

• Directly provide service to Tribal elders
• Purchase transportation service from a public or private organization
• Directly reimburse elder passengers for their use of transportation service
• Volunteer driver escort reimbursement
• Reimburse elderly persons for use of their personal means of transportation under certain conditions
• Perform or purchase planning or management studies on transportation
• Coordinate transportation services
• Perform or purchase in-service training relating to transportation service
• Co-payments (fares or donations)
  

The following case studies are extrapolated from the RAISE 2022 Award Fact Sheets, AoPP Project Selections for 2023), and presentations at the Tribal Transit Symposium. Each one features a project planned around Tribal transit. In addition, a case study is included to highlight the steps taken by the Cherokee Nation to negotiate the first TTSGP funding agreement with the U.S. DOT.

Case Study - Bois Forte Band of Chippewa - Big Woods Transit Facility

The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa is a federally recognized Tribe. The Bois Forte reservation is located in northern Minnesota, about 45 miles south of the Canadian border. The reservation is divided into three sectors, Nett Lake, Vermilion, and Deer Creek The combined population of Bois Forte Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land was 984.(2020 Census).  Big Woods Transit is located in Nett Lake, Minnesota. The Big Woods Transit Facility Construction project will construct a transit facility the design, for which, includes parallel parking to maximize the use of the space that will include a bus wash, a mechanics work bay with a lift, and a solar power generation system. RAISE 2022 Award: The grant funding awarded for the Big Woods Transit Facility Construction project was approximately $9.5 million. 

The Cherokee Nation signed the first compact with the U.S. DOT under the TTSGP on June 7, 2022. “The approval gives the Tribe the ability to plan and oversee its own road construction planning and transit projects without having to seek federal permission.” (U.S. DOT, Cherokee Nation Sign First Ever Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Compact) The website for the Cherokee Nation Department of Transportation and Infrastructure includes the Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP) 2023 – 2027. This plan, which details the Department’s spending of federal funding over the next 5 years, currently includes TTP funding for transit capital and operating expenses for fixed route and demand response services for 14 Counties in the Cherokee Nation. TTSGP/TTP: Transit funding for each of the 5 years, 2023-2027, in the amount of $547,990.

PICK Transportation is a single branded, regional, on-demand transit system that includes four public transit agencies and ten Tribal Nations across eastern Oklahoma. PICK Transportation is a consortium of public transit agencies (Pelivan Transit & Northeast Oklahoma Tribal Transit Consortium, JAMM (INCA) Transit, Cimarron Public Transit System, and KI BOIS Area Transit System) that provides public transportation for all. PICK Transportation operates during nontraditional hours, operating Monday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, which allows riders to book a trip immediately from a smart phone (PICK Transportation OK app for iPhone or Google Play) or desktop and expect an ADA compliant vehicle, to arrive within minutes. Federal Section 5310 Competitive Grant Funding: On behalf of the four transit partners, Grand Gateway Economic Development Association (GGEDA) requested $350,000 of project funding through Indian Nation Council of Governments (INCOG) for partial funding of the technology including: implementation of technology to support 20 vehicles, technology maintenance fees, and call center stations for the implementation of the project. As of this writing, additional funding is forthcoming. (Indian Nation Council of Governments (INCOG), Connected 2025 Plan)

Case Study - Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation - Connected Communities Project (2022)

The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is a federally recognized Indian Tribal Nation of Tolowa Indians. The Nation is located 3 miles south of the Oregon-California border in Northwest California. The Tribe's general membership consists of over 1,900 citizens governed by a 7-member Tribal Council elected by the general membership. The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Connected Communities Plan is said to be “a necessary step leading to the implementation of multi-modal improvements for the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and visitors. The intent of this project, Phase 2 of the Plan, is to improve safety for all modes and encourage bicycle, pedestrian and transit use.” RAISE 2022 Award: The grant funding awarded for Phase 2 of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Connected Communities Plan project is approximately $1.6 million.

The Yavapai-Apache Nation is located in the Verde Valley of Arizona and is comprised of five Tribal communities: Tunlii, Middle Verde, Rimrock, Camp Verde and Clarkdale. The Yavapai-Apache Nation requested planning funds for the purpose of expanding its bus system, YAN Transit, to serve a larger area of Yavapai County in rural central Arizona. The plan will include design and engineering for a new, larger maintenance facility and details for expanding YAN Transit's reach with new routes to provide better access to jobs, healthcare, and other Tribal communities.  AoPP 2023 Award: The funding awarded to the Yavapai-Apache Nation for planning and designing the expansion of YAN Transit was approximately $125,000.