U.S. Department Of Transportation Awards $2.9 Million To Georgia For Improved Public Transportation
U.S.DOT AWARDS $2.9 MILLION TO GEORGIA FOR IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONA grant of $2,970,945 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the purchase of three 40-foot compressed natural gas expansion buses and five intercity clean diesel expansion buses for the Regional Express Bus System.
The Regional Express Bus System will provide morning and afternoon bus service for metro commuters to downtown Atlanta and link 11 of the suburban counties to metropolitan Atlanta. A total of 58 buses will eventually be purchased for the express service project, with service expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2004.
During the first three years of operation, 26 routes will be implemented, and 37 routes will be implemented by 2010. These routes will provide fast transit connections between suburban counties and major employment centers such as downtown and midtown Atlanta, Cumberland and the Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport. The Regional Express Bus System will also provide reverse commute service from Atlanta and Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail stations to suburban employment centers.
FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn said, “These buses will allow even more people to experience the many benefits of public transportation, including a stronger economy, increased community mobility, reduced congestion and protection of the environment.”
The federal government will provide 83 percent of the total capital cost for the Regional Express Bus System, which is currently estimated at $31.7 million.
