The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced funding for several alternative fuel initiatives as part of approximately $264 million in funding dedicated to improve the safety and reliability of the U.S.’ bus systems, as well as enhance mobility for transit riders.
Natural gas projects are as follows:
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Georgia will replace 40-foot diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life with 60-foot compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The new buses will provide expanded capacity on a high-ridership bus route that connects southeastern DeKalb County with MARTA Rail.
The Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (Wave Transit) in North Carolina will replace older diesel buses with CNG buses, expected to improve transit service throughout Wilmington.
The City of Lincoln, Neb., will purchase land and construct a bus maintenance and storage facility with a CNG fueling station. The new facility will help improve transit service in Nebraska’s capital city.
The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works in Florida will purchase CNG buses to replace older buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will improve the efficiency and reliability of the bus service in the Miami area.
The Colorado Department of Transportation, on behalf of the City of Glenwood Springs, will receive funding to purchase a new CNG bus for the city’s Ride Glenwood bus fleet. The new bus will replace an aging diesel bus that has exceeded its useful life and is often out of service due to mechanical issues.
The Springfield Mass Transit District in Illinois will purchase new CNG buses to replace older buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will improve transit service throughout the Springfield area.
The Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority in Oklahoma will purchase CNG buses to replace diesel transit buses that have exceeded their useful life. The replacement vehicles will provide increased safety and reliability, as well as fewer breakdowns.
The Rogue Valley Transportation District in Oregon will purchase 35-foot, low-floor CNG vehicles. This project will significantly improve system reliability by replacing vehicles that are beyond their useful life.
The Salem Area Mass Transit District in Oregon will purchase low-floor CNG buses, replacing vehicles that are beyond their useful life.
The Luzerne County Transportation Authority in Pennsylvania will purchase 35-foot CNG replacement buses. This project will significantly improve transit service by replacing assets that are in poor condition and have exceeded their useful life.
The Utah Transit Authority will receive funding to construct a clean fuel center that will replace an older facility that has exceeded its useful life.
Electric/hybrid and clean diesel projects are as follows:
The Broome County Department of Public Transportation in New York will purchase hybrid electric buses to replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will help improve transit service throughout the county.
The Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania will purchase low-floor clean diesel buses. The new vehicles will improve transit service and reliability for residents of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
The City of Norwalk, Calif., will receive funding for two projects: 1) the Anaheim Transportation Network will purchase zero-emission battery-electric buses to replace diesel buses on its most heavily traveled route, serving tourists and employees of Disneyland and other resorts; and 2) the Norwalk Transit System will expand its battery-electric fleet with new vehicles that will help service a new route.
The City of Santa Rosa, Calif., will purchase battery-electric buses and charging infrastructure to replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will improve the safety and reliability of the transit system, as well as improve air quality.
The City of Fairfield, Calif., will purchase battery-electric buses to replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will significantly improve the safety and reliability of the transit system.
The Long Beach Public Transportation Co. in California will purchase battery-electric buses and associated charging equipment to replace gas-powered buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will replace vehicles that are in poor condition, reducing maintenance costs and improving air quality.
The North County Transit District in San Diego County, Calif., will purchase zero-emission battery-electric buses to replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life. The replacement buses will reduce the average age of the fleet, increase service reliability and advance air-quality goals.
The Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transportation District in Illinois will purchase electric buses, charging stations and bus shelters with real-time signage. The new buses will replace old ones that have exceeded their useful life.
The Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corp. in Indiana will purchase new electric hybrid buses to replace older vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. The project also includes an upgrade to the on-board camera safety system and bus maintenance training.
Knoxville Area Transit in Tennessee will purchase electric transit buses and charging equipment. This project will significantly improve transit access, mobility and reliability.
Everett Transit in Washington State will receive funding to purchase new battery-electric buses to replace older buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will improve efficiency and service reliability in Snohomish County.
“Every day, working families across America rely on buses, and these grants will ensure that these vital services continue to be both safe and efficient,” says Elaine L. Chao, DOT secretary.
A total of 139 projects in 52 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. The grants will fund projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate and construct bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance.
According to the DOT, demand for FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program far exceeded available funds; FTA received applications for 453 eligible projects totaling approximately $2 billion in funding requests from a total of 53 states and territories. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The selected projects will receive a combination of fiscal year 2017 and 2018 funds.
Really good issue. Comprehensive!