$100 million
Competitive grant application process; City of Charlotte has applied for $8 million.
US Federal Transportation Administration (FTA)
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)
The FTA will distribute funds through a discretionary grant process specifically to public transit agencies for capital investments that will assist in reducing the energy consumption for greenhouse gas emissions of public transportation systems. The grants are 100% funded with no local match required.
In an effort to improve its competitive standing in terms of securing the grant, CATS proposed for TIGGER funds will consist to two parts:
- CATS seeks an 80% grant share (20% local match) toward the purchase of up to 11 new hybrids to replace older diesel buses
- CATS seeks a 100% grant share toward the upgrade of an upcoming order of up to 19 diesel buses to hybrid technology
- The hybrid buses will provide a 34% improvement in miles per gallon and a 41% benefit in maintenance per mile costs.
If awarded, the project will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by almost 13,000 tones and save an estimated 1.1 million gallons of diesel fuel over the 12 year operating life of the buses.
Only U.S. transit agencies are eligible to receive TIGGER grants.
If CATS is awarded funds from TIGGER for hybrid buses, CATS can move forward quickly, utilizing existing City contracts for buses previously approved by City Council
The 20% for new hybrids will come from the FY2010 CATS budget
Rob Phocas, rphocas@ci.charlotte.nc.us
David McDonald, CATS, 704-336-6900
Chris Bauer, CATS, 704-432-3031
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