Three public transit projects have secured funding via the Iowa Transportation Commission, which has earmarked more than $1.1 million under the state Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund.
The funding allotment would support a West Burlington vehicle storage facility in the amount of $400,000; a remodeled bus storage and administrative facility in Cedar Rapids totaling $461,395; and a new heating and air conditioning system for CyRide – Ames in the amount of $292,093.
“The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program is an essential source of funding for urgent facility needs of Iowa’s public transit agencies,” said Sree Mitra, Transit Program manager, Public Transit Bureau for the Iowa Department of Transportation. “This program enables transit systems to construct, renovate, and maintain facilities that are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the systems and maintenance of transit vehicles.”
Funds are generally made available annually by the Iowa General Assembly, allowing transit systems to apply for funding of up to 80-percent of project costs. A transit system must secure local funding for a minimum of 20 percent of the project costs to qualify.
Each year public transit service provides more than 24 million rides and is available in each of the state’s 99 counties. Authorities are encouraging anyone seeking additional information about Iowa’s public transit systems visit www.iowadot.gov/transit.