Traffic & Transit
DART to receive $103 million for bus fleet upgrade
FTA's $103 million grant fuels DART's transition to zero-emissions
Dallas, Texas - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is giving the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) a big boost. FTA provided a $103 million grant to help DART update its bus fleet.
This significant financial support is a tangible outcome of a persuasive letter penned by U.S. Representative Colin Allred advocating for these changes, aligning perfectly with the objectives outlined in the influential Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
It's projected that this legislation will infuse approximately $35 billion into the Texas infrastructure over the next five years, with a substantial amount of $15 billion allocated so far.
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Allred, highlighting the necessity of these developments, stated, “Because of our rapid growth, we need investments to bolster our local infrastructure and create more options for Texans to get where they need to go.
He emphasized the historical significance of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as the most substantial investment in transit ever and how this grant will facilitate DART and other transit agencies to modernize their bus fleet, contributing towards healthier, thriving cities for future generations. He pledged continued efforts to ensure the law’s benefits reach Texas.This fiscal backing has significant environmental ramifications. The fund will expedite the transition to low or zero-emission buses by replacing approximately 186 vehicles, as per the announcement from Allred’s office.
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DART's president and CEO, Nadine Lee, enthusiastically expressed her approval, "This grant will provide us the opportunity to replace a large portion of the oldest buses in our fleet, which is critical to maintaining a reliable transit system for our riders and providing a seamless customer experience.”
Furthermore, the financial boon is not exclusive to DART. Other transit agencies across Texas, including those in Beaumont, Harris County, San Antonio, and Waco, will benefit from an accumulated allocation surpassing $183.8 million in forthcoming grant announcements.
The achievements for DART don't stop here. On June 23, Allred announced that DART is set to receive a generous $25 million RAISE Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
This particular grant aims to fund the construction of a 5.2-mile shared-use trail between Dallas and Plano, marking another significant stride towards urban transformation, according to Dallas Metro News.
You can check out the full grant list here.
