State grants to fund Ohio transit agency bus purchases

Eight Ohio transit agencies will be able to replace a total of 40 diesel buses with cleaner diesel or alternative fuel technology with funding awarded through the Ohio Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant (DERG) Program. 

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency estimates the new vehicles will eliminate more than six tons of pollutants annually. The agencies awarded funds will purchase 23 buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), nine b propane and eight by new cleaner diesel technology.

The projects that were funded include:

• Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Franklin County, is receiving $1.89 million to cover 80 percent of the cost to replace four 2009 diesel-powered buses with four new compressed natural gas-powered buses.
• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Cuyahoga County, is receiving $1.97 million for 61 percent of the cost to replace six 2005 diesel-powered buses with six new compressed natural gas-powered buses.
• Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA) in Montgomery County, is receiving $793,000 for 80 percent of the cost to replace two 2010 diesel-powered transit buses with two new diesel-powered buses.
• Lake Transit Authority (LAKETRAN) in Lake County, is receiving $996,000 for 80 percent of the cost to replace nine 2015 diesel-powered buses with nine new propane-powered transit buses.
• METRO Regional Transit Authority (METRO) in Summit County, is receiving $855,000 for 80 percent of the cost to replace two 2010 diesel-powered buses with two new compressed natural gas-powered buses.
• Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA) in Portage County, is receiving $723,000 for 60 percent of the cost to replace two 2002-2005 model year buses with two new compressed natural gas-powered buses.
• Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) in Hamilton County, is receiving $1.93 million for 60 percent of the cost to replace six 2009 diesel-powered buses with six new diesel-powered buses.
• Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) in Stark County, is receiving $831,000 for 78 percent of the cost to replace seven 2014-2015 diesel-powered buses with seven new compressed natural gas-powered buses.

Funding for the DERG Program is supported with federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds provided to the Ohio Department of Transportation.