U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $4.5 Million Grant to Revitalize Massachusetts Bus Infrastructure
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that 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. One project in Massachusetts will receive a total of $4.5 million from FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. A list of the selected projects is available online.
“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.
The funding supports efforts to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct bus-related facilities.
“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.”
The Massachusetts project selected to receive funding is as follows:
- The Montachusett Regional Transit Authorityin north central Massachusetts will receive $4.5 million to replace buses that have exceeded their useful life. The new buses will improve safety through the installation of security cameras, boost reliability and lower maintenance costs.
Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received applications for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests, from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Federal public transportation law (49 USC § 5339(b)), as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, authorizes FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program through FY2020.
In Fiscal Year 2019, FTA has made available more than $12 billion in funding through both formula and competitive grant programs to support public transportation.