U.S. Department of Transportation helps cut emissions from public transport

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $366.2 million in grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders with new and alternative fuel vehicles. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories will receive funding from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Programme.

Among the projects selected is the Washington State Department of Transportation, which will receive $940,430 in funding to deploy lower-emission Autogas powered paratransit buses in rural Island County. The project will support the state’s effort to lower operating costs and reduce vehicle emissions to improve environmental quality.

The new paratransit buses will replace Island Transit fleet’s existing gasoline buses, resulting in lower operational and maintenance costs, fossil fuel consumption, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, said Mike Nortier, executive director.

“This shift toward alternative fuels is a reflection of Island Transit’s commitment to transform the entire fleet to more environmentally friendly fuel options,” he said. “This award brings Island Transit more closely in alignment with federal and state on-going efforts to promote energy efficiency and sustainability in transportation.”

The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct bus-related facilities. “These grants will help rebuild and modernise bus systems across the country for greater safety,” said Secretary Chao.

For more information about this grant, please check this link.

10 October 2018