What is the New Starts program and what is an Alternatives Analysis?
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts Program is a federal grant program that funds the design and construction of fixed guideway transit projects (rail lines, busways, people movers). To be eligible for funding, projects must meet FTA criteria on project justification and local funding commitment. Funds are awarded on a discretionary basis, with areas across the country competing for funding. By law, an Alternatives Analysis (AA) must be performed before a project can be considered for entry into the New Starts program. Alternatives Analysis is a local study that considers different transit modes and alignments, leading to local decisions on the project to be proposed for funding.
