The expenditure of the funds received under this article by an operator may in no year exceed 50 percent of the amount required to meet operating, maintenance, and capital and debt service requirements of the system after deduction therefrom of approved federal grants estimated to be received and funds estimated to be allocated pursuant to Section 99314.5.
Notwithstanding the 50-percent limitation, the amount budgeted for capital requirements in any year or other period up to five years, less the amount of federal and other state funds granted or approved therefor, may be allocated and expended for capital improvements to a grade-separated mass transit system, if construction of such facilities has been found to be not inconsistent with the regional transportation plan of the transportation planning agency. Within such five-year period, the transportation planning agency may order the amount of the allocation in any year to be set aside and accumulated for accomplishment of the particular project.