The grant funding fell far short of the $8.7 billion requested by transit agencies.
“The Federal Transit Administration announced Monday nearly $1.7 billion in grants under the Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs for transit projects in 46 states and territories.” According to a brief by Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, the agency received $8.7 billion in applications.
The ‘Low-No’ program has been criticized by Transportation for America for “artificially constraining the conversion to zero-emission vehicles” by requiring that 25 percent of funding go toward low-emission projects. “Transportation for America found that while 88% of grant applications were for zero-emission buses and facilities, more than two-thirds of those applications were rejected, while nearly 100% of applications for projects for diesel hybrid and compressed natural gas buses were approved.”
During a press call, FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said many of the low-emission projects are in rural areas where the infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles is less available.
Agencies awarded in this round include King County Metro in Seattle, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Read the full story: $1.7B for cleaner transit buses, bus facilities awarded by FTA
New Round of Federal Clean Transit Funding Announced
Two federal grants will award close to $1.7 billion to state and local agencies to replace aging transit fleets and boost workforce development initiatives.
USDOT Announces $2B in Grants for Transit Buses, Favoring Hybrids Over Electric Options
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
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NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
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California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
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