Public Transit Rideshare
The Public Transit Rideshare Grant program — formerly known as the Vanpool Investment Program — supports rideshare programs at transit agencies across Washington.
Transit agencies use these grant funds to expand rideshare fleets, replace aging rideshare vehicles, purchase rideshare-related equipment, and offer incentives to boost ridership. The funding allows transit agencies to purchase rideshare vehicles powered by alternative fuel, including low-emission plug-in hybrids and zero-emission all-electric models.
Washington boasts one of the largest public rideshare fleets in the nation. Each workday, approximately 13,300 commuters travel in more than 1,800 rideshare vehicles. These rideshares improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the number cars on the road. The state's partnership with transit agencies began in 2001 with 12 transit agencies and currently features 18 transit agencies across Washington.
Frequently asked questions
Public Transit Rideshare frequently asked questions (PDF 400KB).
Grant award amount
The Legislature appropriated $5 million for the 2025-2027 biennium.
Eligible applicants
Washington state transit agencies are eligible to apply, including:
- City transit systems under RCW 35.58.2721 or chapter 35.95A RCW.
- County public transportation authorities under chapter 36.57 RCW.
- Metropolitan municipal corporation transit systems under chapter 36.56 RCW.
- Public transportation benefit areas under chapter 36.57A RCW.
- Unincorporated transportation benefit areas under RCW 36.57.100.
- Special-purpose districts formed to operate a public transportation system.
Eligible projects
The Public Transit Rideshare Grant program supports two eligible project types:
Capital
- Replacement of rideshare vehicles.
- Expansion of rideshare vehicle fleet.
- Purchase of rideshare vehicle equipment.
Incentives
- Projects funded by WSDOT must use incentives to optimize transportation infrastructure and influence travel behavior. Incentives should be used to encourage mode shifts, improve travel time, and enhance overall system efficiency.
Applicants must submit separate applications depending on the project type, capital or incentives.
Match requirements
Public Transit Rideshare Grant program applicants must provide matching funds for all capital projects. Incentive projects don't require match.
The program applies a tiered match structure to determine the minimum required match an applicant must provide for vehicle replacement, vehicle expansion, and/or vehicle equipment. The required match amount is based on the transit agency’s most recent operating budget, as reported to the Washington State Transit Association.
| Tier Level | Operating budget | Required match |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $35 million or more | 20 percent |
| Tier 2 | $20 million to 34.9 million | 15 percent |
| Tier 3 | $10 million to 19.9 million | 10 percent |
| Tier 4 | $5 million to 9.9 million | 5 percent |
| Tier 5 | Less than $5 million | 0 percent |
Applicants may use other grant funds to meet match requirements, except for competitive state-funded grants administered by WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division. Acceptable sources of matching funds may include local, state (excluding WSDOT Public Transit Division competitive grants), federal, or private funding. Applicants may use Transit Support formula funds as match for this competitive program.
All matching funds must be specifically identifiable and directly benefit the proposed project.
Scoring criteria
Applications will be evaluated and scored by a selection committee based on the following four categories:
- Quality of application and application completeness.
- Demonstration of need.
- Readiness to proceed and feasibility.
- Financial proposal.
Awards
The table below lists 15 projects awarded funding through the 2025-2027 Public Transit Rideshare Grant program, totaling approximately $5 million. This includes $4,652,586 for capital projects, such as the purchase of replacement and expansion rideshare vehicles and related equipment, and $326,150 for incentive projects.
| Organization | County/Counties | Project title | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asotin County PTBA (Asotin County Public Transportation Benefit Area) | Asotin | Capital support for purchase of one replacement rideshare vehicle | $65,000 |
| Ben Franklin Transit (Benton-Franklin Public Transportation) | Benton, Franklin | Capital support for purchase of 10 replacement rideshare vehicles | $542,700 |
| Community Transit (Snohomish County Public Transit Benefit Area Corp.) | Snohomish | Capital support for replacement of 12 hybrid 7-passenger vans | $460,800 |
| Grays Harbor Transit (Grays Harbor Transportation Authority) | Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston | Capital support for purchase of five replacement rideshare vehicles with the telematics security system | $345,600 |
| Grays Harbor Transit (Grays Harbor Transportation Authority) | Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston | Capital support for purchase of video telematics systems for existing agency vehicles | $26,180 |
| Intercity Transit | Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Thurston | Capital support for purchase of 23 hybrid replacement rideshare vehicles | $833,440 |
| Island County PTBA (Island County Public Transportation Benefit Area) | Island, King, Kitsap, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom | Capital support for purchase of 14 hybrid replacement rideshare vehicles | $852,880 |
| Island County PTBA (Island County Public Transportation Benefit Area) | Island | Implement a rideshare incentive plan | $10,000 |
| King County Metro Transit | King | Provide marketing materials and rider incentives to sustain and increase the use of the ridership program | $225,000 |
| Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation) | Pierce | Capital support for purchase of 18 replacement rideshare vehicles and vehicle branding for existing rideshare vehicles | $839,584 |
| Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation) | Pierce | Provide marketing materials and rider incentives to sustain and increase the use of the ridership program | $37,500 |
| Skagit Transit (Skagit Transit System) | Skagit | Capital support for purchase of 10 replacement rideshare vehicles and the agency logo wrapping for each vehicle | $452,430 |
| Skagit Transit (Skagit Transit System) | Skagit | Provide marketing materials and rider incentives to sustain and increase the use of the ridership program | $53,650 |
| STA (Spokane Transit Authority) | Spokane | Capital support for purchase of three replacement hybrid rideshare vehicles. | $137,500 |
| WTA (Whatcom Transportation Authority) | Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom | Capital support for purchase of two expansion rideshare vehicles | $96,472 |
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