Mississippi to receive $5.68 million to purchase new buses

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Monday, Nov. 25 that the Federal Transit Administration will award $5.68 million to the Mississippi Department of Transportation to purchase new buses. This project will support service expansion throughout the state and help meet the needs of Mississippi residents who rely on transportation services to get to employment opportunities and health care destinations.

The award is part of $423 million in nationwide transit infrastructure grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders. A total of 94 projects in 42 states and the District of Columbia will receive funding from FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. A list of the selected projects is available online.

“Public bus systems throughout the country provide millions of Americans access to jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, and other vital services,” Chao said in a statement.

The funding supports projects to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate and construct bus-related facilities.

“More people travel by bus than any other form of public transportation,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “This Administration is committed to rebuilding our nation’s transportation infrastructure and helping to improve bus service nationwide.”

Demand for FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program far exceeded available funds. The FTA received applications for 318 eligible projects totaling approximately $1.9 billion in funding requests, from a total of 270 applicants in 43 states and territories.

In Fiscal Year 2019, FTA has made available more than $12 billion in funding through both formula and competitive grant programs to support public transportation.