The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program recently awarded Illinois more than $25 million in funding to replace and rehabilitate buses and facilities.
Two transit systems received a combined $17.8 million while the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) received $8 million.
“Public transit is a critical component of Illinois’s dynamic transportation system,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said. “Today’s funding will help make sure Illinoisans have reliable and safe transportation options to get them where they need to go. I will continue working with Sen. (Dick) Durbin (D-IL) to secure federal resources for projects like these and other critical infrastructure projects across our state.”
The two transit systems receiving individual funding were the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, receiving $17.3 million for the expansion of its Illinois Terminal, and the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System, receiving $500,000 for the Better Bus Stop campaign.
IDOT will distribute its funds to one city, two transit districts, and six counties.
Kankakee, Logan and McLean counties will receive funding for the purchase of PA systems compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Champaign and Coles counties will receive funding for the purchase and replacement of paratransit vehicles.
The City of Ottawa will receive funding for the rehabilitation of a fixed-route facility to convert it into a maintenance garage.