Regional DoT grant recipients

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding almost $1.7B in grants for buying zero- and low-emission buses for transit projects in 46 states and territories. 

The grants will enable transit agencies and governments to buy 1,700 U.S.-built buses, nearly half of which will have zero carbon emissions, with a priority for more electric vehicles on the road - especially for schools and public transit - in an effort to contain climate change.

The June 26 announcement covers the second round of grants for buses and supporting infrastructure. All told, the U.S. has invested $3.3B in these projects to date. Government officials expect to award roughly $5B over the next three years. 

USDOT received 475 project proposals for grants totaling about $8.7B. 

Regional grant recipients: New Orleans Regional Transit Authority $71,459,261 The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority will receive funding to buy zero-emission vehicles and charging equipment, provide a microgrid to support charging resiliency after major storm events, and design and implement a workforce training program. The project will improve safety, air quality and reliability for residents and visitors to the New Orleans metropolitan area.

City of Hattiesburg, Miss., $6,455,325. Hattiesburg Hub City Transit will receive funding to buy electric buses and charging equipment to replace diesel vehicles and to develop a workforce training program. The improvements will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help workers transition to working on electric vehicles.

Coastal Transit Authority, Gulfport, Miss., 1$1,760,000. Coastal Transit Authority will receive funding to buy low-emission dual gasoline/propane fueled buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The purchase will help the agency progress on its climate action plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

Alabama A&M University $8,122,850. Alabama A&M Bulldog Transit System will receive funding to upgrade its bus storage facility to expand the use of solar energy to power the charging station and other bus facilities, part of a project to transition its fleet to zero emissions in 2024. By improving air quality, it will also advance environmental justice in the Huntsville community. (The AP 06/26/23) U.S. Department of Transportation | AP News