(a) Projects eligible for funding under the program include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Rail capital projects, including acquisition of rail cars and locomotives, that expand, enhance, and improve existing rail systems and connectivity to existing and future rail systems, including the high-speed rail system.
(2) Intercity and commuter rail projects that increase service levels, improve reliability, and decrease travel times.
(3) Rail integration implementation, including integrated ticketing and scheduling systems, shared-use corridors, related planning efforts, and other service integration initiatives.
(4) Bus rapid transit and other bus transit investments to increase ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
(b) In order to be eligible for funding under the program, a project shall demonstrate that it will achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
(c) The program shall have a programmatic goal of providing at least 25 percent of available funding to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, consistent with the objectives of Chapter 830 of the Statutes of 2012.
(d) In evaluating grant applications for funding, the Transportation Agency shall consider both of the following:
(1) The cobenefits of projects that support implementation of sustainable communities strategies through one or more of the following:
(A) Reducing auto vehicles miles traveled through growth in rail ridership.
(B) Promoting housing development in the vicinity of rail stations.
(C) Expanding existing rail and public transit systems.
(D) Implementing clean vehicle technology.
(E) Promoting active transportation.
(F) Improving public health.
(2) The project priorities developed through the collaboration of two or more rail operators and any memoranda of understanding between state agencies and local or regional rail operators.
(3) Geographic equity.
(4) Consistency with the adopted sustainable communities strategies and the recommendations of regional agencies.
(e) Eligible applicants under the program shall be public agencies, including joint powers agencies, that operate existing or planned regularly scheduled intercity or commuter passenger rail service or urban rail transit service. An eligible applicant may partner with transit operators that do not operate rail service on projects to integrate ticketing and scheduling with bus or ferry service.
(f) A recipient of funds under the program may combine funding from the program with other funding, including, but not limited to, the State Transportation Improvement Program, the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program, the State Air Resources Board clean vehicle program, and state transportation bond funds.