Funding Overview

As the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA), the Regional Transportation Commission makes decisions and sets priorities for the expenditure of various local, state and federal transportation funds for public transit, rail, local street and road, highway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Long range planning for transportation funding is done through the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTC selects projects to receive funds anticipated in the next five years through the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) and its agency Budget and Work Program. The RTC historically has distributed between $10-15 million per year.

RTC Funding Programs

The RTC distributes funds from the following programs:

1. Transportation Development Act
2. Regional Surface Transportation Program
3. State Transportation Improvement Program
4. Department of Motor Vehicles Fees
5. Transportation Enhancements (Federal)

RTC Projects/Programs

• Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP): Projects selected to receive state and federal funds
• Revenue Projections: 25-year Revenue Projections
• Regional Transportation Plan: Long Range Transportation Plan for Santa Cruz County. Identifies all funding available for region.
• Future Funding: Given funding shortfalls in the region, the RTC has worked with the community to identify new revenue generating options.
• Opportunities: Periodically funding opportunities through the RTC or other agencies are available for transportation projects. See the grants page.
  
  

Where Does the Money Come From?

Funding for transportation projects in Santa Cruz County come from a few main sources:

• Per Gallon Gas Taxes (State & Federal)
• Sales Taxes (both on diesel, as well as other goods/services)
• DMV Fees

The money generated through these taxes and fees are then divided into hundreds of funding programs established by voters and/or state and federal statutes.

• Overview of Transportation Funding in California: Chart demonstrating the complexity of transportation funding (has not yet been updated to reflect legislative changes in the past year)

Quicklinks

• Caltrans’ Local Programs site/Caltrans Local Assistance – Information on grant opportunities and implementing local transportation projects
• www.Recovery.gov – American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
• Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) – Federal Programming Document Prepared by AMBAG which lists federally-funded transportation projects in region)
• LAO Guide to transportation funding: What is being done to address California’s transportation problems?
• State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): Prepared by the California Transportation Commission
• Caltrans Division of Transportation Programming: Information on STIP, Proposition 1B, TCRP, and other Funding Programs

RTC Contact

Rachel Moriconi
Senior Transportation Planner

(831) 460-3200