$464 million awarded to revitalise America’s bus infrastructure

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $464 million in transit infrastructure grants nationwide to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders.

“This Administration is committed to rebuilding our nation’s transportation infrastructure even through the current COVID-19 crisis, and this $464 million in federal grants will help improve the safety and reliability of transit bus service nationwide as the economy returns,” said Chao. 

“Millions of Americans rely on public transportation to access healthcare, jobs, and other vital services,” said FTA Deputy Administrator, K. Jane Williams. “During this unprecedented time, we need to ensure access and mobility for the riders who depend on our nation’s bus systems.”

Among the projects selected to receive funding:

• In Florida, five projects will receive a total of $27.8 million to purchase new electric buses and upgrade maintenance facilities and infrastructure in the Orlando metropolitan area, Collier County, Hillsborough County, the Jacksonville metropolitan area and Pinellas County
• In Pennsylvania, two projects will receive a total of $11.5 million to construct a new maintenance facility in Hazleton in Luzerne County, and purchase new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to replace older diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life in Erie County
• In Wisconsin, two projects will receive a total of $7.7 million to purchase new articulated buses to reduce crowding on high demand routes in the City of Madison in Dane County, and replace an aging roof on a bus maintenance facility in Milwaukee County.

Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received 282 applications totalling approximately $1.8 billion in funding requests, from 51 states and territories. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.