The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Rochester, Minnesota will receive an $84.9 million grant to build an all-electric bus service.
The grant, part of the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, will provide the Link Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Rochester to build a faster, more reliable bus service between downtown Rochester, the Mayo Civic Center, Mayo Clinic campuses, and the planned Downtown Waterfront Southeast development.
“Americans rely on public transit every day to get to work, go to school, and connect with loved ones,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “With the funding we’re announcing today, the Biden-Harris Administration is making important improvements to Rochester’s Link bus rapid transit line that will quickly and safely connect residents and visitors to everything from schools and doctors’ offices to their local grocery store.”
Officials said the Link will improve the travel experience for bus riders along one of Rochester’s most heavily traveled roads, the 2nd Street SW Corridor. Currently, more than 21,800 vehicle and 13,000 transit riders use the corridor every day, including more than 40 buses. The 2.8-mile Link will operate along more than half of the route in dedicated bus-only lanes and receive priority at traffic lights for the rest of the route.
An all-electric system of 12 buses, officials said they hope the Link will encourage people to get out of their cars and use transit as a way to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions
“The Link BRT line will support a growing city with a population forecast to grow by 30% through 2040,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “BRT routes have been transforming communities across the country with fast and frequent service along key economic corridors, and we are pleased to add Rochester to the growing list of communities benefiting from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation.”