On Aug. 11 the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced awards for the Bus and Bus Facilities discretionary grant program. Connect Transit received $13.1 million that was advocated for by United States Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and United States Representatives Darin LaHood and Rodney Davis.
At yesterdays Connect Transit Board meeting General Manager David Braun broke down for Cities 92.9 how this funding could be used. According to Braun;
- $5 million would allow the purchase of five new electric buses,
- $1.5 million could purchase six micro transit vehicles and
- $6.6 million could be used for a new Maintenance, Storage and Training Facility.
The new electric buses would replace 2010 and 2011 buses. Connect Transit plans to have approximately 50% of its fleet powered by electricity by the end of 2024.
The micro transit buses would be used as part of a new micro transit program. Micro transit buses will pick customers up in their neighborhood and give them a ride to the nearest bus stop. Connect Transit hopes to have a pilot project underway in a neighborhood next year.
The Maintenance, Storage and Training facility will store 30 buses and 10 micro transit vehicles. The training facility would be used not only to train employees but also as a regional training site.
