KCATA to Receive $9 Million for New Buses

KCATA will receive $8,986,350 to purchase new buses, the biggest Bus and Bus Facilities Grant KCATA has earned since 1993. On Sept. 8, The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the selections for Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program.

The grant will fund the first-ever purchase of over-the-road coach buses for RideKC. The entire grant will fund the purchase of:

• Two over-the-road coaches
• Two Bus Rapid Transit (MAX) vehicles
• Two 40-foot buses
• Sixteen 30-foot buses

The total cost of the vehicles is expected to be $10,572,176, with local matching funds providing the difference.

"This is a very big win for the region to stabilize and improve bus service,” KCATA President/CEO Robbie Makinen said. “It will enable us to right size the fleet, and explore innovative ways to deploy service, including the introduction of over-the-road coaches for the region.”

“We are grateful to our bistate congressional delegation for working so hard to earn this grant award and for their continued support for funding Prospect MAX,” said Makinen. “We also appreciate the continued support of the Federal Transit Administration and Region VII Administrator Mokhtee Ahmad for their responsiveness to communities’ needs.”

The grants will provide more modern, reliable bus service for transit riders across the country. Sixty one projects in 41 states, the Virgin Islands, and Indian Country will receive a share of nearly $211 million to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase transit buses and related equipment, and construct bus-related facilities.

 “The Obama Administration is committed to improving transportation options that connect people in rural and urban areas across the country to opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These grants will improve mobility for thousands of transit riders who depend on bus service every day, expanding access to employment, education, healthcare, and other important services in their communities.”