Capital Metro will receive $3.55 million in federal funding to support bus purchases and MetroBike facilities. On Monday the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the recipients of its highly-competitive Alternatives Analysis, Bus Livability and State of Good Repair Programs.
Through this award Capital Metro will receive $3 million in federal funds for the purchase of seven new buses in FY2013. The agency is already planning to use previously-awarded federal funding to purchase 23 buses. Capital Metro is actively pursuing options to cover the local share of these purchases.
With many buses at or near the end of their estimated useful life, Capital Metro has a significant need to upgrade its fleet. New buses provide a higher quality and more reliable service for customers and reduced maintenance costs for Capital Metro.
Approximately $550,000 in grant funding will provide secure bicycle storage options at transit facilities. Capital Metro has been working with the city of Austin and the cycling community to implement progressive solutions for the increasing number of cyclists that use transit.
Capital Metro and the city are partnering to use existing funding to install a fully-enclosed bike storage cage at Kramer Station to provide protection from the weather, an added level of security for bike parking and a convenient new option for customers.
The agency expects to use grant funding to expand the bike facilities at several other sites, which may include Highland Station, MLK, Jr. Station, Plaza Saltillo Station, South Congress Transit Center, and Tech Ridge Park & Ride.
"The awarding of this highly-competitive grant shows that Capital Metro is being proactive about addressing the transportation challenges in our region," said President/CEO Linda S. Watson. "These are wise investments that will improve services for our customers for years to come."
Transit systems across the country submitted more than 800 projects for consideration. Capital Metro’s projects were two of just 300 that will receive funding.
Through this award Capital Metro will receive $3 million in federal funds for the purchase of seven new buses in FY2013. The agency is already planning to use previously-awarded federal funding to purchase 23 buses. Capital Metro is actively pursuing options to cover the local share of these purchases.
With many buses at or near the end of their estimated useful life, Capital Metro has a significant need to upgrade its fleet. New buses provide a higher quality and more reliable service for customers and reduced maintenance costs for Capital Metro.
Approximately $550,000 in grant funding will provide secure bicycle storage options at transit facilities. Capital Metro has been working with the city of Austin and the cycling community to implement progressive solutions for the increasing number of cyclists that use transit.
Capital Metro and the city are partnering to use existing funding to install a fully-enclosed bike storage cage at Kramer Station to provide protection from the weather, an added level of security for bike parking and a convenient new option for customers.
The agency expects to use grant funding to expand the bike facilities at several other sites, which may include Highland Station, MLK, Jr. Station, Plaza Saltillo Station, South Congress Transit Center, and Tech Ridge Park & Ride.
"The awarding of this highly-competitive grant shows that Capital Metro is being proactive about addressing the transportation challenges in our region," said President/CEO Linda S. Watson. "These are wise investments that will improve services for our customers for years to come."
Transit systems across the country submitted more than 800 projects for consideration. Capital Metro’s projects were two of just 300 that will receive funding.