Funding from the Low or No Emission Vehicle federal program will help the city replace its buses with new electric and other zero- or low-emission vehicles.
According to an article by Daja Clayton for WAND, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District will receive $6.6 million in federal funds to buy new zero- or low-emission buses for its public transit fleet.
“We have a unique approach here in Champaign-Urbana because we have solar cells that are providing the electricity for the creation of hydrogen to fuel the buses,” explained Senator Dick Durbin, who made the announcement in Urbana.
“The MTD grant is part of an almost $2-billion program announced by the U.S. Federal Transportation Agency to allow states and cities to buy American-made hybrid buses.” The Low/No program, as it’s known, has been criticized for setting aside funding specifically for low-emission vehicles such as clean diesel buses, rather than letting 100 percent of funds be used for electric and zero-emissions options.
FULL STORY: Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District to replace hybrid buses with zero and low-emission transit buses
Michigan Transit Systems Awarded Federal Grants for Clean Vehicles
Federal grants are helping to ease the transition to electric and hybrid buses.
Flaws in Federal Clean Transit Programs
Two programs designed to help transit agencies shift to electric and zero-emission fleets contain rules that could slow the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
Zero-Emission Bus Fleets Grow, But Federal Funding Is in Jeopardy
Transit agencies around the country have purchased over 7,000 zero-emission buses, but a federal program that funds the shift could be eliminated under the new administration.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service