423 million dollars to improve bus services in the US from FTA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $423 million in transit infrastructure grants nationwide to “improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders”, quoting the press information from FTA.

A total of 94 projects in 42 states and the District of Columbia will receive funding from FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.

The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct bus-related facilities.

Electric bus purchases financed by FTA

In Arizona, the Program will finance with 17.4 million dollars to build a new Downtown Connection Center in Flagstaff and purchase all-electric buses.

In Michigan, the City of Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) will receive a total of $12.8 million, including $8.5 million to modernize Detroit’s fare collection system on buses and $4.3 million to help Flint purchase new buses that will replace diesel buses that have exceeded their useful life.

Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, FTA outlines. Application for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests were received from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories.

Bus, the most used form of public transportation

“Public bus systems throughout the country provide millions of Americans access to jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, and other vital services,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“More people travel by bus than any other form of public transportation,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “This Administration is committed to rebuilding our nation’s transportation infrastructure and helping to improve bus service nationwide.”