The grant funding fell far short of the $8.7 billion requested by transit agencies.
“The Federal Transit Administration announced Monday nearly $1.7 billion in grants under the Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs for transit projects in 46 states and territories.” According to a brief by Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, the agency received $8.7 billion in applications.
The ‘Low-No’ program has been criticized by Transportation for America for “artificially constraining the conversion to zero-emission vehicles” by requiring that 25 percent of funding go toward low-emission projects. “Transportation for America found that while 88% of grant applications were for zero-emission buses and facilities, more than two-thirds of those applications were rejected, while nearly 100% of applications for projects for diesel hybrid and compressed natural gas buses were approved.”
During a press call, FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said many of the low-emission projects are in rural areas where the infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles is less available.
Agencies awarded in this round include King County Metro in Seattle, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
FULL STORY: $1.7B for cleaner transit buses, bus facilities awarded by FTA
New Round of Federal Clean Transit Funding Announced
Two federal grants will award close to $1.7 billion to state and local agencies to replace aging transit fleets and boost workforce development initiatives.
Zero-Emission Bus Fleets Grow, But Federal Funding Is in Jeopardy
Transit agencies around the country have purchased over 7,000 zero-emission buses, but a federal program that funds the shift could be eliminated under the new administration.
London Launches Electric Buses
The new buses can charge at either end of their route in minutes without returning to garages for charging.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
DC Extends Application Window for Outdoor Dining Permits
District restaurants will have until the end of November to apply, but businesses with permits in rush hour parking lanes must end operations on July 31.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service