The Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) is a grant program funded by a $4 surcharge on motor vehicles registered in the Bay Area. This generates approximately $22 million per year in revenues.
The purpose of the TFCA program is to provide grants to implement the most cost-effective projects in the Bay Area that will decrease motor vehicle emissions, and thereby improve air quality. Projects must be consistent with the 1988 California Clean Air Act and the Bay Area Ozone Strategy.
TFCA funds are available through two main channels: the Regional Fund and the County Program Manager Fund. The Regional Fund receives about 60% of the TFCA revenues and is administered directly by the Air District. The Program Manager Fund receives approximately 40% of the TFCA revenues and is administered in coordination with the Bay Area's nine county congestion management agencies (CMAs).
The TFCA program can fund a wide range of project types, including the purchase or lease of clean air vehicles; shuttle and feeder bus service to train stations; ridesharing programs to encourage carpool and transit use; bicycle facility improvements such as bike lanes, bicycle racks, and lockers; arterial management improvements to speed traffic flow on major arterials; smart growth projects; and transit information projects to enhance the availability of transit information.
Public agencies within the Air District's jurisdiction can apply for TFCA funds. Public agencies can apply for funding either directly to the Air District for Regional Funds, or to the County Program Manager Fund via the CMA in the respective county. Non-public entities can apply for TFCA grants, directly or via a public agency, to implement certain clean air vehicle projects only. Non-public entities can apply directly for Regional Funds. In certain cases, non-public agencies also may be able to apply for County Program Manager Funds via the respective CMA.