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STIF Program Overview

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) program was introduced by the House Bill 2017 Transportation Funding Package to fund public transportation improvements across Oregon. STIF funds may be used for public transportation purposes that support the effective planning, deployment, operation, and administration of public transportation programs. STIF funds may not be used for light rail capital expenses, and are not intended to supplant local funding sources to maintain existing services.

Investments from the STIF program have helped to make transportation in Oregon more equitable and affordable by supporting reduced-fare programs, expanded service coverage, and increased service frequency to low-income communities. This program has advanced greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts by funding the transition to low-emission vehicles. Funds have also supported expanded connectivity across Oregon's multimodal network through transit service, infrastructure, and technology improvements.

At its inception, the STIF program was funded solely by the Oregon "transit tax," which is a state payroll tax equal to one-tenth of 1 percent. Effective July 1, 2023, The STIF program was consolidated with the Special Transportation Fund (STF) program. The STF program was funded by ID card fees, non-highway gas tax, and cigarette tax revenues. Those revenues and the goals of the STF program are now part of the STIF program. The total funding amount will be estimated annually, and actual revenues will vary based on transit tax collections. 

After allocations to ODOT for program administration and Projects of Statewide Significance, STIF revenues are allocated across four programs:

  • 90% to STIF Formula
  • 5% to STIF Discretionary
  • 4% to STIF Intercommunity Discretionary
  • 1% to Technical Resource Center

Key Terms on Recipient Eligibility

  • Qualified Entity (QE) - mass transit districts, transportation districts, counties without either a mass transit or transportation district, and federally-recognized tribes. Map of ODOT QEs.
  • Public Transportation Service Provider (PTSP) - cities, counties, Qualified Entities, special districts, intergovernmental entities, and any other political subdivision or municipal or public corporation that provides public transportation services.
  • Sub-Recipient – any entity that has entered into an agreement with a recipient in order to complete one or more tasks specified in the agreement between the recipient and ODOT. These entities include, but are not limited to, nonprofits, private for-profits, and public entities.

Solicitation Schedule

​​The Formula Fund is intended to expand and improve public transportation services, and may also be used to support service maintenance and ongoing operations costs. There are no match requirements for STIF Formula funds.


ODOT disburses STIF Formula funds to Qualified Entities (QEs) based on population and payroll taxes paid within their geographic area. Any QE wishing to receive STIF funding must submit a completed STIF Plan to ODOT by the submission deadline each biennium. The “STIF Plan" is the official application for STIF Formula funds.

Sub-recipients are eligible to receive STIF Formula funding through their QE by submitting project proposals to the QE's STIF Advisory Committee. These sub-recipients can include Public Transportation Service Providers (PTSPs) and other entities, including but not limited to, nonprofits, private for-profits, and public entities.

Helpful Resources

​STIF Discretionary and Intercommunity Discretionary funds are awarded to Public Transportation Service Providers to improve public transportation through a competitive grant process. The STIF Discretionary fund supports a wide variety of project types but cannot be used to fund ongoing operations. The Intercommunity Discretionary fund supports maintaining, expanding, and improving public transportation services between two or more communities. The Oregon Transportation Commission finalizes award decisions using criteria derived from statute and the Oregon Public Transportation Plan.

Helpful Resources

The Oregon Administrative Rules below guide implementation of the STIF program. Potential applicants should review the General, Formula, and Discretionary rules for information on funding eligibility, application processes, and other requirements.​

​Consolidation of the Special Transportation Fund (STF) and Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) public transportation funding programs was directed by Senate Bill 1601 which passed in the July 2020 First Special Session of the Oregon State Legislature. The purpose of this merger is to increase efficiency and funding reliability for public transportation providers throughout Oregon.

ODOT convened a Rules Advisory Committee in June 2021 to draft Oregon Administrative Rule revisions needed to consolidate the two programs. The Oregon Transportation Commission approved these rules in January 2022, and they became effective on July 1, 2023.​



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Resources

STIF Rules Advisory Committee Webpage, Jan. 2025

News Alerts

 Content Editor

HB2017 Transit Rulemaking
First STIF Rules Advisory Committee scheduled for Feb. 5
  • 01/28/2025 01:15 PM PST
New Rules Advisory Committee to assist Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund updates
  • 12/19/2024 04:27 PM PST
2025-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Formula Program Open for Applications
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Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year 2025-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Formula Program
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Find grant opportunities with our updated website
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Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Program: 2021-2023 Biennial Update
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We're hiring a skilled policy and strategic investment manager
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STIF Allocation Estimate – December 2023
  • 12/28/2023 02:02 PM PST
Update on ODOT's Innovative Mobility Program
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Transit agencies providing critical connections in small towns
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STIF Discretionary and Statewide Transit Network Grant Application Now Available
  • 10/21/2022 02:12 PM PDT
Please attend upcoming STIF Discretionary and Statewide Transit Network grant training
  • 09/19/2022 12:01 PM PDT
FY2024-2025 and FY2026-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) program estimates (9/19/2022)
  • 09/19/2022 09:59 AM PDT
Grant program information available for discretionary Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) and Statewide Transit Network programs
  • 09/08/2022 04:48 PM PDT
CORRECTION: STIF Allocation Estimate – August 2022
  • 09/06/2022 10:20 AM PDT
STIF Allocation Estimate – August 2022
  • 08/26/2022 03:47 PM PDT
Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Formula - Solicitation Materials Posted
  • 08/24/2022 12:21 PM PDT
STIF Program Guidebook and New Website Now Available
  • 07/14/2022 03:28 PM PDT
Consolidated funding programs will broaden positive impacts
  • 01/31/2022 12:59 PM PST
How did ODOT invest $226 million in public transportation?
  • 01/20/2022 10:44 AM PST
Public Transportation Rules Committee to meet July 21
  • 07/16/2021 09:56 AM PDT
Programs in the 2024-2027 STIP Making Investments in Oregon Communities
  • 06/30/2021 02:09 PM PDT
Public Transportation Rules Committee Launched
  • 06/25/2021 09:22 AM PDT
We invite you to comment on recommended funding for public transit projects
  • 03/23/2021 11:16 AM PDT
Updated 2021-23 Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Formula Solicitation Information
  • 11/02/2020 10:26 AM PST
Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund allocation estimate for October 2020
  • 10/30/2020 10:33 AM PDT
Your input needed on a new initiative
  • 09/17/2020 04:18 PM PDT
Two public transportation funding programs now accepting applications
  • 09/04/2020 01:25 PM PDT
How to Use STIF Formula Funds to Maintain Existing Service
  • 08/24/2020 10:34 AM PDT
CORRECTION: Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund allocation estimate for July 20
  • 08/18/2020 12:48 PM PDT
Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund allocation estimate for July 2020
  • 07/24/2020 03:55 PM PDT
Legislators okay use of STIF Formula funds to maintain service
  • 07/01/2020 03:45 PM PDT
Public Transportation Division announces new organizational structure
  • 06/10/2020 03:57 PM PDT
DMV offices open only for commercial drivers by appointment
  • 03/24/2020 12:00 PM PDT
DMV partners with law enforcement to keep Oregonians at home
  • 03/20/2020 09:44 AM PDT
First legislative report from STIF program now available
  • 02/05/2020 11:18 AM PST
ODOT Names New Head of Public Transportation Division
  • 01/29/2020 11:43 AM PST
What you need to know about Oregon Real ID
  • 01/29/2020 08:15 AM PST
What you need to know about Real ID
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STIF allocation, consolidation and eligibility update
  • 12/20/2019 12:25 PM PST
OTC awards grants that expand public transportation in Oregon
  • 07/18/2019 04:54 PM PDT
Transportation Insights: A "walking school bus" is improving safety in eastern Oregon
  • 06/18/2019 12:52 PM PDT
You're invited to comment on proposed improvements for transit service
  • 06/11/2019 08:55 AM PDT
NEW Technical Resource Center
  • 05/13/2019 05:00 PM PDT
Commission approves $161 million in transit service expansions
  • 03/21/2019 01:34 PM PDT
You're invited to comment on proposed improvements for transit service
  • 01/18/2019 02:03 PM PST
STIF Formula Fund Allocation estimate update now available
  • 12/19/2018 11:15 AM PST
Funding opportunity: STIF Discretionary and Statewide Transit Network Program
  • 10/26/2018 02:13 PM PDT
Commissioners approve guidelines for rejecting applications for STIF Formula Funds
  • 10/24/2018 05:43 PM PDT
STIF updates: Discretionary schedule, bylaws template and engagement resources
  • 08/10/2018 01:59 PM PDT

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Contact

Email Ben Goldberg
STIF Program Coordinator
971-701-0195

Email  Jillian Trinkaus Email
Statewide Intercity Network Coordinator
971-718-6139

Email Vacant
STIF Fund Coordinator
503-986-3300

Learn about and contact your Regional Transit Coordinators