Title
Grant Application to the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program (NB)
This is a request for City Commission approval for the Regional Transit System (RTS) to submit a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program.
Explanation
On April 27, 2017, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of approximately $55 million for the purchase or lease of low or no emission vehicles as well as related equipment or facilities. The Low or No Emission Competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. The main purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. Applicants must submit proposals electronically on June 26, 2017.
RTS is a crucial part of the City, providing over 10 million safe, reliable, and convenient passenger trips per year. To continue to do this, RTS is in critical need of new buses. The average fleet age is almost 11 years old with nearly 40% of buses past their useful life. Newer buses improve comfort, increase schedule reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the largest transit mode share and the highest service productivity in the state, RTS is fully capable of rapidly and successfully implementing the project. RTS desires approval from the City Commission to submit an application for the FTA’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program.
Fiscal Note
RTS would like to apply to the FTA for approximately $6 million through the Low or No Emmission Vehicle Grant Program.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to submit an application with the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Em...
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