Maryland Department of Transportation Gets Needed Funds From Feds

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $4.8 Million to Revitalize Maryland’s Bus Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $4.8 million in transit infrastructure funding to improve the safety and reliability of Maryland’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders.

“This Administration is committed to rebuilding our nation’s transportation infrastructure even through the current COVID-19 crisis, and this $464 million in federal grants will help improve the safety and reliability of transit bus service nationwide as the economy returns,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, and construct bus-related facilities.

“Millions of Americans rely on public transportation to access healthcare, jobs, and other vital services,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “During this unprecedented time, we need to ensure access and mobility for the riders who depend on our nation’s bus systems.”

Three projects in Maryland will receive a total of $4.8 million from FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) on behalf of Harford County will receive $3.4 million to replace diesel buses with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses that have exceeded their useful life. This project will improve service reliability while maintaining a state of good repair.

MDOT on behalf of Howard County will receive $1.2 million to purchase replacement transit vehicles and implement an automated bus stop announcement system on its fixed route fleet. This project will improve service reliability while maintaining a state of good repair.

MDOT on behalf of Carroll County will receive $118,174 to purchase vehicles to replace older vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. This project will improve service reliability while maintaining a state of good repair.

Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds, as FTA received 282 applications totaling approximately $1.8 billion in funding requests, from 51 states and territories. Project proposals were evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Federal public transportation law (49 USC § 5339(b)), as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, authorizes FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program through FY2020.