The first round of Michigan transit grants totals $64,995,416 across 15 counties. Awards include $9.9 million for new Genesee County service and funding for rural transit planning in Benzie County.
Genesee County's Mass Transportation Authority will get $9.9 million to launch new service under Michigan's statewide transit plan. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $65 million for transit projects and plans to establish a transit and rail coordinator position at the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Whitmer announced the first round of Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund grants on Oct. 13, 2026. The awards total $64,995,416 and cover projects in 15 counties. The state says the money will help create or expand transit systems. It will also restore service in communities that lost public transportation access and improve regional connections. The governor's announcement identifies this as the first funding round, not the entire fund.
Project start dates remain unclear. The announcement also gives no start date for the coordinator position.
Where the grants are going
Michigan's Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund, or IPAF, provides long-term capital for public transportation. Officials said the fund was created in the state's FY 2026 budget. The $65 million investment is part of the Sustainable Road Funding Plan, a nearly $2 billion state plan that includes a separate long-term capital funding source for public transit. IPAF backs new and transformative projects rather than ongoing transit operations. Eligible work includes capital improvements and new services, with planning also covered.
MDOT opened applications statewide in spring 2026. The deadline was June 30. Industry analyst Watson Yates reported that the state expects to hold additional application rounds annually for three more years, with awards announced in the fall.
Benzie County's Benzie Transportation Authority will receive $94,750 for a rural transit service transformation and connectivity study. The study will consider microtransit and expanded on-demand service. It will also examine scheduled connections, including possible links to neighboring counties and transit systems across the northwest Lower Peninsula.
Newaygo County will get $4.3 million to develop its first countywide open-door public transit system. The service is intended to connect rural residents with health care and jobs. Education is another planned destination.
In Genesee County, the Mass Transportation Authority received $9.9 million for Transit Without Borders, a new service and capital improvement project intended to support trips across county lines. The authority also won a separate $3,629,158 grant for the Genesee Connect Microtransit Project, bringing its two awards to about $13.61 million. Genesee Connect is planned as app-based microtransit using small vehicles. Michigan Public Radio reported that Benzie's study will assess possible connections to neighboring counties and transit systems.
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority will receive $6.6 million to develop a Bus Rapid Transit project on the Washtenaw/Huron/Jackson corridor. Detroit Transportation Corporation was awarded $10 million for its People Mover 1.5 rail rolling-stock project.
The Capital Area Transportation Authority will get more than $1 million for Campus Connect, an app-based, on-demand microtransit service for Michigan State University's campus. It is intended to serve riders when regular service is reduced.
In West Michigan, Ionia County is slated to receive $1.1 million to expand on-demand service. The grant will also fund rides to medical facilities outside the county. Ottawa County will receive about $621,000 to expand Harbor Transit, while Battle Creek was awarded $2.4 million for early planning of a transit hub.
The grants cover different stages of work, from Benzie County's rural transit study to Newaygo County's first countywide system and new service in Genesee County. The announcement does not specify routes or schedules for the projects.
MDOT to add coordination role
MDOT will house the new transit and rail coordinator position. The state says the role is intended to coordinate transit and rail operations and support a transportation system that meets Michiganders' needs now and in the future.
Officials said they plan further steps to improve coordination across state governments in support of transit and multimodal transportation. They did not describe those steps or provide a timeline.
Whitmer tied the investment to her road-funding plan and said the package is intended to improve regional mobility. She said expanded transit access can help Michiganders reach jobs and health care. She also cited education and other opportunities.
State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich said the awards were made possible by the Neighborhood Roads Fund. He said the money will help transit agencies connect riders with everyday needs, including health care and jobs.
MDOT also works on other statewide transportation efforts. Farmington Voice previously covered Michigan aviation awards announced by the Michigan Aeronautics Commission and the department.
