The Travel Options Program (TOP): Moving Better, Together

Complete each section of the budget proposal tab. The file will auto populate calculations and totals.

1. A maximum of $300,000 is available for any single project submitted by a respondent and/or partner respondents. A minimum budget of $100,000 is required for submission.
2. The budget must include an estimated division of labor vs. non-labor costs, as well as the submitting agency’s current overhead rate.
3. Other direct costs, such as materials, supplies, consultant services, and/or partner agency costs for any activities necessary to complete the project must be specified and explained.
4. Projects should be scalable. If necessary, the Regional TDM Advisory Committee may ask you to reduce the budget or adjust the project scope if the estimated budget exceeds the funding available. Likewise, only one component of a proposal may be selected, which may require scope and budget adjustments.

Yes, previous or existing TOP grant recipients can apply again. All applications are competitive.

• Yes, we will post the FY27-28 slides and information session recording on the website after the EOI presentation.

The number of projects invited to complete a full application is based upon the total program budget and the budgets of the EOIs received that are a good fit for the program.

Research projects are eligible if there is intention to implement the idea. The EOI application should include how the project applicant plans to implement the research with other funds.

Learning about travel habits with the intent to implement a solution from the results of the research would be eligible for TOP funds. The application should include how the project applicant plans to implement the research with other funds.

For any proposed concept development project the application must include an intent to implement. For instance, perhaps the applicant wants to use TOP funds for planning, concept development, or research components of a construction project. Another example would be if the applicant is planning to fund their project with multiple different funding streams and wants to use TOP funds to start that process.

New Jersey: Both CMAQ and STBGP funding are available in New Jersey. Therefore, if a project isn’t fully eligible for CMAQ funding, CMAQ and STBGP funding can be combined according to which elements of the projects are eligible for each funding source.

Pennsylvania: Only STBGP funding is available in Pennsylvania. Therefore, all projects in the state must be STBGP-eligible. STBGP funds tend to be more flexible than CMAQ, which is why all PA funds were transitioned to this source after the pilot round of TOP.

A digital transportation wallet could potentially be an eligible project within the Operational Solutions Focus Area, but TOP staff would need to learn more about the specific aspects/project phases for which the applicant would like to use the funds. The EOI application should provide evidence of buy-in from the transit agency, as well as specifics regarding whether the project would be supplementing an existing technology or generating something new. Funds could also be used to advertise an existing travel wallet.

TOP cannot use federal dollars to fund food, stipends, or gift cards. However, donations for expenses associated with the TDM issue the project is aiming to address would be acceptable. (ex: fare cards from a transit agency).

Awards will be announced April-May, 2026, as soon as they are approved by the DVRPC RTC and Board. We hope there will be future funding rounds for this program, but there is never a guarantee. Future rounds are dependent upon TOP project outcomes and the support of DVRPC’s partners.

TOP can fund projects that may have been done before in other service areas, build upon a past or existing project in the current service area, or change or adapt elements of a previous project. However, TOP cannot fund projects that support maintenance or continuation of an existing or past project in the service area.

Yes, the project timeline is July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028.

For a subsidy to be eligible, but it must be specifically related to the TDM issue the project is trying to address. A SEPTA Key Card would be eligible because it can only be used for transportation expenses. Gas cards can present challenges because in some cases balances can be used towards purchases that are not related to the project goals (ex: convenience store associated with a gas station).

• See a complete list of the FY25-26 Awarded TOP Projects.

Selected projects for the FY 2023 and FY 2024 TOP funding round were awarded grants in July 2022. A chart that lists each project's name, sponsor(s), budget in federal funds*, and a brief description of the project can be found using this here.

Please note that there were three construction projects selected during this round of applications and approvals, but due to the timing of the process to properly prepare for construction, these projects will be funded during the next round of TOP.

_{*The budgets shown are the federal funds supporting each project; selected non-construction projects required a 20 percent match by the sponsor(s).}

• Pennsylvania Projects
• Philadelphia Safe and Sustainable Return to Work- The Clean Air Council, the City of Philadelphia's OTIS, and Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) were awarded $128,000 for a project that aims to reduce carbon emissions and congestion in Philadelphia by directly increasing bicycling and carpooling mode share.
• Automated Vehicle Shuttle in South Philadelphia- PIDC was awarded $347,000 for a project that aims to accommodate non-SOV trips within the Navy Yard to reduce conflicts with vehicle traffic, by creating an automated vehicle shuttle service loop that will take passengers throughout the Navy Yard.
• New Jersey Projects
• PATCO Station Complete Streets Demonstration Pilot- The Cross County Connection TMA, PATCO, Camden County, and the Borough of Collingswood were awarded $50,000 for a project that will help educate local residents driving to and living near the Collingswood PATCO station about multimodal alternatives to the station and around the community.
• Light Rail to Trails: Connecting the River Line & the Circuit- The Tri-State Transportation Campaign and New Jersey Transit were awarded $50,000 for a project that aims to encourage mode shifting among current RiverLINE users with first-and-last mile connections, mostly utilizing easy access to the nearby Circuit trail system.