Annual Program of Projects to Allocate Federal Funds for Transit
Public Hearing on August 11, 2025
On an annual basis and as needed, the City of Davis prepares a Program of Projects (POP) that forms the basis for grant applications submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for funding. The City submits and executes grant applications and agreements, and then passes funds through to Unitrans through a sub-recipient agreement. FTA regulatory guidance requires the City to make the proposed POP available for public review and comment prior to its approval by the City Council. All comments made on the POP by the deadline will be summarized and provided to the City Council when it reviews and takes action on September 17, 2025.
The deadline for submitting comments on the proposed POP is Monday, August 11, 2025.
To receive a copy of this notice in another language or alternative formats at no cost, please contact Unitrans by sending an email message to comments@unitrans.ucdavis.edu or by calling Unitrans at (530) 752-2877. The City welcomes all comments from the general public and providers of other transportation services on this proposed program of projects in the most convenient format available. The most common ways in which to submit comments include the following:
- Send an email message with the subject “Program of Projects” to comments@unitrans.ucdavis.edu
- Send a letter addressed to Unitrans ATTN: General Manager, 1 Shields Ave, South Hall Room 5, Davis, CA 95616
- Attend a public hearing on the Program of Projects at the City of Davis Transportation Commission meeting to be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the City Hall Chambers at 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, CA 95616.
- Calling 530-752-2877 and to speak to a Unitrans staff person regarding the “Program of Projects”
FY 2025 Program of Projects
Yolobus Operating Assistance
Description: The Yolo Transportation District (YTD), as the provider of intercity bus services within Yolo County and to Sacramento, requests funding to pay for a portion of Yolobus services that directly benefit the City of Davis.
Proposed FTA Amount: $300,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Unitrans Operating Assistance
Description: FTA Section 5307 funds, in combination with a variety of other funding sources, allow Unitrans to operate 18 weekday and seven weekend fixed routes approximately 360 days a year. Unitrans carries over 3.8 million passengers annually, which is the second-highest ridership level in the six-county Sacramento metropolitan area.
FY 2027 Operating Assistance (for the Period 7/1/2026 through 6/30/2027)
Total Estimated Budget: $10,300,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $3,200,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding:
$6,750,000 – ASUCD Student Fees
$350,000 – Covered by Fare Revenue, Advertising and Other Misc. Revenue
Unitrans Maintenance Facility – Bus Electrification Phase 2 Project
Description: Design and construction electric charging infrastructure for an additional 16 buses at the Unitrans Operations & Maintenance Facility. Based on the current cost estimate, the program is fully funded pending Federal discretionary award confirmation.
Total Estimated Budget: $10,000,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $1,200,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding:
$220,656 – Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) State Funds
$79,344 -- ASUCD Student Fees
Unitrans Electric Bus Purchase (Single Deck)
Description: Purchase up to 14 battery electric buses to replace fossil-fuel buses in the Unitrans fleet.
Total Estimated Budget: $15,000,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $521,359 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding: $130,340 – ASUCD Student Fees
Future Funding: ~$10,000,000
Unitrans will continue to seek federal and state discretionary grants, including zero-emission vehicle incentive funds from the State of California, to complete the funding plan for this project.
Unitrans Electric Double-Deck Bus Purchase
Description: Purchase two (2) electric double-deck buses to replace existing buses that have surpassed their useful lives.
Total Estimated Budget: $4,400,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $401,370 – FTA Section 5339 Bus/Bus Facilities Formula Funds
Other Funding: $100,343– ASUCD Student Fees
Future Funding: ~$400,000
Unitrans will continue to seek federal and state discretionary grants, including zero-emission vehicle incentive funds from the State of California, to complete the funding plan for this project.
Unitrans Vintage Bus Rehabilitation
Description: Replace the engine and associated systems on one Unitrans vintage London Double Decker bus to make it compliant with current and future California Air Quality Standards and extend its useful life. Based on the current cost estimate, the program is fully funded.
Total Estimated Budget: $500,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $400,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding: $100,000 – ASUCD Student Fees
Unitrans Single Deck Bus Rehabilitation – Phase 2
Description: Rehabilitate four (4) Unitrans single-deck buses to extend their service lives. Work will include the installation of near zero-emission compressed natural gas engines and new engine cooling packages. Based on the current cost estimate, the program is fully funded.
Total Estimated Budget: $312,500
Proposed FTA Amount: $250,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding: $ 62,500 – ASUCD Student Fees
Unitrans Vehicle/Facility Maintenance Information System & Fare Payment App
Description: Replace Unitrans’ outdated vehicle and facility maintenance and inventory system with a new, more robust information management system that provides the functionality needed to meet increasing and more complex management and reporting needs. In addition, implement a replacement fare payment app. All Sacramento region transit operations are moving towards one payment app for all transit services. Based on the current cost estimate, the program is fully funded.
Total Estimated Budget: $312,500
Proposed FTA Funding: $250,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding: $62,500 – ASUCD Student Fees
Unitrans Miscellaneous Equipment Purchases
Description: Purchase new and replacement maintenance, administration, and operations equipment to efficiently run bus service and maintain/ repair vehicles and facilities.
Total Estimated Cost: $125,000
Proposed FTA Amount: $100,000 – FTA Section 5307 Formula Funds
Other Funding: $25,000 – ASUCD Student Fee Funds
For more information, feel free to contact Unitrans at unitrans@ucdavis.edu or call 530-752-2877.