The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded seven rural Kentucky public transit agency projects $3.2 million through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The agencies serve 36 counties, and projects include paving a parking lot, enhancing technology, and purchasing and replacing vehicles with 12-passenger cutaways, which are small buses with accessible seating.
“A strong, rural transportation network is critical for economic growth in Kentucky,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “These grants will go a long way toward replacing an aging fleet of buses with new vehicles and to enhance transit services in areas that need reliable transportation.”
Grant awardees are: Blue Grass Community Action Partnership received $1.03 million, Central Kentucky Community Action Council received $851,329, Licking Valley Community Action Program received $491,312, Pennyrile Allied Community Services received $464,206, Daniel Boone Community Action Agency received $222,264, Harlan County Community Action Agency received $154,944, and the City of Maysville/Maysville Transit System received $51,421.
Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan includes a Better Transportation Program, which allows communities to apply for grant funds to improve infrastructure and transportation systems.
The Better Kentucky Plan aims to help the post-COVID economy by applying for federal funds to improve roads and bridges, expand electric vehicle infrastructure, expand broadband access, deliver clean drinking water, and build new schools.