AVTA Wins Competitive “Low or No Emissions” Federal Grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has named The Antelope Valley Transit Authority as a recipient of funding from their highly competitive Low or No Emission Vehicle program. The program provides funding to transit agencies for the purchase or lease of zero or low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act Program provides $55 million in funding each year until 2020, and is aimed at supporting the conversion of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles.
“AVTA has already utilized project resources to prove they can lead the world in innovative, cutting-edge technological advancement, so it comes as no surprise that the FTA has chosen to invest in the same vision our Board has embraced. We are grateful to receive the support and I am confident that they have chosen wisely — funding will be put to the best possible use in expanding the electrification of our fleet”, said AVTA Board Chairman Marvin Crist.
AVTA's award of $705,347 will be used for the purchase of one 40-foot battery electric bus. Funding is expected to be released by the end of the year. This comes in addition to the grant funding utilized to launch the agency's Electric Bus Conversion project, made possible by Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Michael Antonovich. Under the visionary leadership and full support from the Board of Directors, AVTA is now leading the charge in advancing clean and efficient public transportation and is on track to meet their goal of becoming 100 percent green by 2018.
“This grant will keep us moving in the right direction — reducing costs while eliminating pollution. We will continue to seek and take advantage of any funding opportunities as we move closer to meeting our goal”, said AVTA CEO Len Engel. Engel returned from a trip to Indianapolis earlier this week, where he accepted the 2017 Metro Magazine Innovative Solutions Award on behalf of AVTA.
AVTA is one of 51 recipients in 39 states to receive grant funding from FTA for low or no emission vehicles. Projects were evaluated on their ability to demonstrate strong value to American communities. Eligible projects included those that replace, rehabilitate, lease, and purchase buses and related equipment as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, construct or lease bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance. AVTA's application for funding was accompanied by a letter of support from
U.S. Congressman and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, endorsing AVTA's ability to further energy efficient community transit in the Antelope Valley.
"Reducing pollution and cleaning up the air we breathe in the Antelope Valley is an important priority. With this grant announcement, in conjunction with the expansion of the BYD facility, AVTA will be able to place an innovative no-emission electric bus into service," said Congressman Kevin McCarthy. "I am proud of the work our community is doing to position itself as a leader in pursuing cutting-edge technologies, be it for ground transportation or in the aerospace field, to improve our quality of life. I applaud Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the Federal Transit Administration on this grant award, which will help further these efforts and help the Antelope Valley remain an innovation leader in the 21st Century."
