This is false.  (January 18, 2017 email from the Federal Transit Administration/FTA to Ken Larsen) "The decision of how best to provide transit services within a specific geographic region is not made by the federal government; rather, it is the responsibility of local decision makers. Local officials are closest to the unique circumstances of their area and are in the best position to consider all relevant factors. Although the federal government provides funding to assist local governments in constructing transit capital improvements, decisions regarding what projects to pursue and in what corridors are determined locally. Information on what is required to be eligible for the various FTA grant programs can be found on our website at www.fta.dot.gov. Typically, but not always, proposed light rail transit projects pursue FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program funding. For this program, our website contains detailed information on the webpage found at http://www.fta.dot.gov/12304.html. The law outlines a multi-year, multi-step process projects must go through to be eligible for and receive this funding. The process includes steps along the way when FTA must evaluate and rate the project according to criteria set forth in law. That evaluation and rating process includes an examination of cost-effectiveness, mobility improvements, environmental benefits, congestion relief, land use, economic development, and local financial commitment. Meanwhile, we encourage people to share questions, concerns, and observations with local and regional officials, including your local transit agency, which is Go Triangle and the region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), known as the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) MPO and which has a public participation process. You can contact the Go Triangle at (919) 485-7490 or at http://www.gotriangle.org/news. The DCHC MPO can be reached at (919) 560-4366 or at http://www.dchcmpo.org/default.asp."