; (B) in the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates of the Bureau of the Census for the most recent year for which the estimates are available; and (C) has at least 25 percent of its population in rural areas. ; (2) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i) by inserting and persistent poverty counties before the semicolon; and (3) in subsection (c) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) Persistent poverty public transportation assistance program (A) In general The Secretary shall carry out a public transportation assistance program for areas of persistent poverty. (B) Apportionment Of amounts made available or appropriated for each fiscal year under section 5338(a)(2)(E)(ii) to carry out this paragraph, the Secretary shall apportion funds to recipients for service in, or directly benefitting, persistent poverty counties for any eligible purpose under this section in the ratio that— (i) the number of individuals in each such rural area residing in a persistent poverty county