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    1. Bus

    U.S. Transportation Secretary awards $423 million in grants to revitalize America’s bus infrastructure

    Nov. 26, 2019
    Grants will be awarded to 94 projects in 42 states and D.C. under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.
    Related To: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
    HART
    HART will be replacing its diesel-fueled buses with this compressed natural gas bus.
    HART will be replacing its diesel-fueled buses with this compressed natural gas bus.

    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is awarding $423 million in transit infrastructure grants nationwide to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and to enhance mobility for transit riders, according to an announcement from U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

    A total of 94 projects in 42 states and the District of Columbia will receive funding from FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.

    Mass Transit previously reported grant recipients released from elected officials; a full list of the selected projects is available through FTA’s website.

    “Public bus systems throughout the country provide millions of Americans access to jobs, healthcare, grocery stores and other vital services,” Secretary Chao said.

    The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate and construct bus-related facilities.

    “More people travel by bus than any other form of public transportation,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “This administration is committed to rebuilding our nation’s transportation infrastructure and helping to improve bus service nationwide.”

    Among the projects selected to receive funding:

    • In Arizona, two projects will receive a total of $17.4 million, including approximately $17.3 million to the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority to construct a new Downtown Connection Center in Flagstaff and purchase all-electric buses; and $160,000 to the White Mountain Apache Tribe to purchase new vehicles and expand transit service for tribal residents.
    • In Michigan, the city of Detroit Department of Transportation and Flint Mass Transportation Authority will receive a total of $12.8 million, including $8.5 million to modernize Detroit’s fare collection system on buses and $4.3 million to help Flint purchase new buses that will replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life.
    • In North Carolina, three projects will receive a total of $24.5 million, including $17.3 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to help several rural transit systems replace vehicles and construct public transportation facilities throughout the state; as well as $6.8 million to the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation and $480,000 to the city of Salisbury to purchase new vehicles to replace those that have exceeded their useful life.
    • In Nevada, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada will receive $7.475 million to replace and update current security cameras and software on its fixed-route and paratransit fleet, in addition to improving its bus washing system. A total of 811 vehicles will receive upgraded cameras and software; the new wash facility for its paratransit vehicles will be built; and the existing wash facility will be rehabilitated. 
    • In Florida, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will receive $4.3 million to replace diesel buses with new compressed natural gas buses.
    • In Texas, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority will receive $7.231 million to fund the Port Ayers Transfer Station, two transit stops at Del Mar College Southside's campus and the reconstruction of the operation center's parking lots. This grant marks the first competitive grant the organization has ever received. 

    Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received applications for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests, from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

    Federal public transportation law (49 USC § 5339(b)), as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, authorizes FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program through FY2020.

    In FY2019, FTA has made available more than $12 billion in funding through both formula and competitive grant programs to support public transportation.