The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will receive $11.9 million in federal money to buy new buses to replace those that have exceeded their useful life and also rehabilitate JTA’s operations and maintenance building.
It is the largest award in the state. The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s award of $27.8 million in transit infrastructure funding in Florida to improve the safety and reliability of the state’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders.
The grant will be used to replace eight diesel buses with eight compressed natural gas models that emit less carbon, according to a JTA news release.
The new CNG buses are part of a larger project that proposes to rehabilitate and upgrade some of the repair needs at JTA’s Myrtle Avenue Operations Campus.
The plan includes the replacement of mobile column lifts for bus repairs; replacement and upgrade of 21 bay doors from manual to electric; rehabilitation of the bus wash facilities, including upgrades for waste, oil and plumbing systems; and replacement of exhaust fans, generators, HVAC and other maintenance and facilities needs.
Also receiving grants:
• The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates LYNX in Orlando, will receive $2.8 million to buy electric buses to replace diesel buses.
• Collier County’s Collier Area Transit will receive $9 million to buy new buses and to rehabilitate its operations and maintenance building.
• The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will receive $2.8 million to buy new electric buses and charging infrastructure.
• The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Pinellas County will receive $1.2 million to buy new electric buses and a new depot charging station.