MDOT’s Public Transportation (rail, bus, public transit, marine) and Aeronautics Programs are administered by three separate offices: The Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT) manages bus and marine programs, the Office of Rail manages rail and port programs, and the Office of Aeronautics administers the aviation program. These offices provide capital and operating assistance, technical support, and safety oversight for the department’s Public Transportation and Aviation Programs.
MDOT’s approach to the Public Transportation and Aeronautics Programs differs from the Highway Program in that much of the infrastructure is owned, managed, and operated by entities other than MDOT, and the funding that MDOT is responsible for represents only a small portion of the overall investments in these modes.
MDOT’s 2026-2030 Public Transportation (rail, bus, public transit, marine) and Aeronautics programs are estimated at $4.6 billion, with $3.7 billion in Public Transportation covering $2.9 billion in Bus and Marine, $809 million in Rail, and $900 million in Aeronautics investments. These investments will provide essential support for developing and maintaining a vibrant and sustainable multimodal transportation system that provides safe and easy movement of people and goods throughout the state.
|
Bus and marine
|
FY 2026
|
Five-year total
|
|
Specialized services/enhanced mobility total
|
$26.7 |
$136.1 |
|
Federal formula
|
$13.7 |
$71.1 |
| CTF |
$13.0
|
$65.0
|
|
Local bus operating
|
$229.3
|
$1,173.7
|
|
CTF
|
$229.3
|
$1,173.7
|
| Federal nonurban operating and capital |
$40.6
|
$211.4
|
| Federal formula |
$40.6 |
$211.4
|
| Municipal Credit Program |
$2.0
|
$10.0
|
| CTF |
$2.0
|
$10.0
|
| Service initiatives |
$17.0
|
$87.0
|
| Federal formula |
$3.9
|
$20.2
|
| Federal discretionary |
$5.8
|
$30.3
|
| CTF |
$7.3 |
$36.5 |
| Transit capital |
$214.8 |
$1,122.0 |
| Federal formula |
$70.3 |
$365.8 |
| Federal discretionary |
$76.6 |
$398.7 |
| CTF |
$67.9 |
$357.5 |
| Van pooling |
$0.4 |
$2.0 |
| CTF |
$0.4 |
$2.0 |
| Intercity bus |
$9.2 |
$47.2 |
| Federal formula |
$6.3 |
$32.8 |
| CTF |
$2.9 |
$14.4 |
| Marine passenger service |
$20.0 |
$102.8 |
| Federal formula |
$3.0 |
$17.8 |
| Federal discretionary |
$15.0 |
$75.0 |
| CTF |
$2.0 |
$10.0 |
|
Bus and marine grand total
|
$560.0 |
$2,892.2
|
In millions
Subject to appropriation of state and federal expenditure authority. Includes only state and federal.
For CTF: Office of Revenue and Tax Analysis data is used for 2027 and then a 2.3 percent increase year over year for 2028-2030. All estimates are then averaged.
Federal: 2 percent increase year over year for 2027-2030 and then averaged.
| Passenger rail, freight rail and ports |
FY 2026 |
Five-Year total |
| Property management |
$1.3 |
$6.5 |
| Rail operations and infrastructure* |
$147.7 |
$754.0 |
| Rail grade crossing (Local Grade Crossing Program) |
$6.0 |
$30.0 |
| Local Crossing Surface Program |
$3.0 |
$15.0 |
| Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (operating assistance) |
$0.6 |
$3.0 |
| Total rail and ports grand total |
$158.6 |
$808.5 |
In millions
* Includes $32.1 million federal/local/private spending authority and $6 million Rail Freight Fund spending authority.
| Aeronautics Program |
FY 2026 |
Five-Year total |
| Airport Improvement Program (AIP)* |
$120 |
$600 |
| Air Service Program |
$0.05 |
$0.25 |
| Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Airport Programs |
$120 |
$300 |
| Aeronautics grand total |
$240.05 |
$900.25 |
In millions
Includes comprehensive program of needed investments for primary airports and general aviation airports, as identified in the MDOT AIP.
Excludes state revenue for other costs, such as staff time.
* Excludes local and private funds.
