Connect Transit is the recipient of a $13 million federal grant from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under its Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Connect Transit’s projects are one of 50 awarded of the 282 projects requested under this program and will receive $13,076,800 of $546 million in available funds.
The Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program provides funding to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects. These projects can include replacing, rehabilitating, or purchasing buses or related equipment, as well as, rehabilitating, purchasing, or constructing bus related facilities. This grant is part of the Administration’s $1.66 billion effort to help modernize bus fleets and facilities across the country, including assisting transit agencies in purchasing low- or no- emission vehicles that use advanced technologies to improve air quality and combat climate change. This year’s federal funding alone will nearly double the number of no-emission transit buses on America’s roadways.
The FTA evaluated Connect Transit’s proposal on its projects’ capability to improve the condition of and modernize its transit system, improve the reliability of transit service for its riders, and enhance access and mobility within the service area. Other criteria included planning and local prioritization, project implementation strategy, and technical capacity to ensure the project will be completed.
“Thank you on behalf of our system and our riders. I can’t emphasize enough what this funding means for a system our size. This is system changing for Connect Transit and will help us to provide a vital connection to the Bloomington-Normal community for all current and potential riders,” said Ryan Whitehouse, Connect Transit Board Chair.
Connect Transit will use this award to purchase Microtransit vehicles that will be used for on-demand services. These smaller vehicles will offer neighborhoods better access to transportation. This new service will provide improved access to jobs, health care, education, grocery stores, shopping, and entertainment. The award will also fund a maintenance support and training facility, as well as five additional battery-electric buses to replace our aging diesel fleet. As Connect Transit is transitioning to new technologies that will reduce emissions, this award also provides funding to help recruit and train new and existing workers.
“This award will allow Connect Transit to continue our mission to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said David Braun, General Manager of Connect Transit, Bloomington-Normal’s public transportation system. “With these funds, we plan to introduce an innovative on-demand service to underserved areas, expand work force development efforts, and continue transitioning our fleet from diesel to battery-electric. We are very grateful to Senators Durbin and Duckworth and Congressmen Davis and LaHood for securing this federal grant funding. With this award, our fixed route fleet will be zero emission. Their vision will provide long-term benefits to our operations, communities, and the state.”
