Discretionary Funds Support State-of-Good-Repair, Sustainability Objectives for Transit

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today
announced the availability of $826.5 million in Fiscal Year 2012
discretionary funds to modernize and repair transit vehicles and
facilities around the country and promote the widespread use of
sustainable clean fuel. The funding commitment highlights President
Obama’s call for investing in an America that’s built to last.

“An American economy that’s built to last must be built on a solid
foundation, and when we have buses, transit facilities, and other
equipment that’s in disrepair, we simply cannot afford to ignore them,”
Secretary LaHood said. “The President knows that transportation projects
like those we’ll fund from today’s announcement will help provide
businesses and families with the safest, fastest, most efficient way to
connect with opportunity.”

“Reliable and desirable transit systems enable hard-working American
families to keep billions of dollars in their wallets rather than hand
them over at the gas pump,” said Federal Transit Administrator Peter
Rogoff. “These investments will ensure that transit remains a dependable
option and advance President Obama’s goal for an America Built to
Last.”

The notice of funding availability (NOFA) published in today’s Federal Register invites
competitive proposals for three of the Federal Transit Administration’s
(FTA) top policy priorities through the discretionary Bus and Bus
Facilities and Clean Fuels grant programs, all subject to funding
availability, as follows:

• State of Good Repair. Approximately
  $650 million available in FY2012 discretionary funds will bring the
  three-year total to $1.5 billion for over 300 projects aimed at
  replacing or rehabilitating transit infrastructure and for transit asset
  management. As transit ridership continues to increase putting even
  greater demand on our transit systems, FTA will also consider
  maintenance facility and equipment expansion requests to help address
  ongoing capacity constraints that limit a transit agency’s ability to
  maintain vehicles and equipment in a state of good repair.
• Livability.Approximately
  $125 million is available for projects that will improve the quality of
  life through expanded transportation choices, new and better intermodal
  connections, reduced congestion, and/or services aimed at economically
  disadvantaged populations, including senior citizens and people with
  disabilities.
• Clean Fuels.Approximately
  $51.5 million is available to help communities meet national air
  quality standards that do not do so now. The program also supports the
  development and marketing of emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion
  technologies for transit buses. This year, as in years past, FTA will
  consider expanding the eligible applicant pool by drawing upon
  additional discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities Program funds.

These discretionary funds are made available through FTA’s Bus and
Bus Facilities and Clean Fuels Programs. The public announcement of
recipients receiving funds will be likely be made in July 2012. A
complete schedule of FTA’s upcoming discretionary programs, along with
details on FTA’s FY2012 apportionments, may be found here.

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