OP-ED: Suffolk County Transit continues to benefit from FTA grants

Congratulations to Suffolk County New York Department of Public Works Transportation Unit for winning a $2-million Bus Discretionary Grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as announced by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao on Aug. 11.

This was one of approximately $464 million in transit infrastructure grants nationwide to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. A total of 96 projects in 49 states and territories will receive funding from FTA's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. 

Suffolk County was one of only two winners from New York State, beating out many other competitors. The demand far exceeded available funds, as FTA received 282 applications totaling approximately $1.8 billion in funding requests from 51 states and territories. Suffolk County Department of Public Works Transportation Unit, which manages Suffolk County Transit, will receive $1.6 million in funding to purchase new battery-electric buses and support charging equipment. The new buses will improve safety, reliability and state of good repair for the system.

Suffolk County Transit was created in 1980 as a county-run oversight and funding agency for a group of private contract operators which had previously provided such services on their own. These companies manage the maintenance and operations of their buses. Buses are paid for by grants from the FTA with the 20 percent local share split between Suffolk County and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Both Suffolk County and NYSDOT provide operating assistance to cover shortfalls from farebox revenues.

Suffolk County Transit uses FTA grants to pay for buses, paratransit vehicles, fareboxes, radio communication equipment, bus shelters, bus stop signs and other capital improvements required by private operators to continue providing safe and reliable service that riders count on.

Let us give thanks to the hard working men and women of the Suffolk County Department of Public Works Transportation Division responsible for preparing and filing FTA grants, implementing the grants and winning extra discretionary FTA dollars!

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Larry Penner is a transportation historian and advocate who previously worked 31 years for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for grants supporting billions in capital projects and programs on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City Transit bus and subway, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus and NYC Department of Transportation.