The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently made available up to $130 million Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program competitive grant funds.
The program provides funding for the purchase or lease of low- or no-emission vehicles that use advanced technologies for transit revenue operations. The program also includes related equipment and facilities.
Eligible applicants include state transportation departments, public transit agencies, and tribes. The FTA will award grants on a competitive basis.
The FTA will evaluate projects on numerous criteria, including project implementation strategy, project benefits, demonstration of need, and capacity for implementing the project. The criteria were defined by federal law.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity also included criteria in accordance with the R.O.U.T.E.S. and Accelerating Innovative Mobility initiatives that apply to rural challenges and innovation.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to improving safety, rebuilding our transportation infrastructure, and preparing for the future with new technologies,” FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams said.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2020 appropriated $130 million in fiscal year 2020 for Low-No Program grants.
The program received applications from 157 projects during fiscal year 2019 requesting $500 million, and 38 were funded totaling $84.95 million.