Congressional Delegation Delivers Funding for Key Local Transit Projects
EUGENE, Ore. —(Mar. 17, 2022)— Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Peter DeFazio have delivered federal support for Lane Transit District (LTD) to buy zero-emission buses and charging equipment, and develop technology that makes all modes of transportation easier for the public to use.
Congressman DeFazio, with Senators Merkley and Wyden, sent letters to the Department of Transportation in support of LTD’s grant application to secure $4,891,676 to replace four of the District’s aging diesel buses with new battery-powered buses.
The funding comes from the federal Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program that is available to states and transit districts to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment as well as to support the construction of bus-related facilities, including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities.
In addition, Senators Merkley and Wyden secured $1.5 million in Federal funding for LTD through the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations bill recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden. The funds are for an electric battery-powered bus and to support the development of new trip planning technology.
“With nearly $6.5 million in federal funding specifically for Lane Transit District (LTD) projects, the District continues its mission to connect the community with expanded reliable, sustainable, and quality public transportation,” said Mark Johnson, Interim General Manager, Lane Transit District. “This funding helps to further electrify the LTD fleet, as well as improve accessibility and trip planning for all modes of transportation.”
In the Omnibus Appropriates bill, there is $950,000 to support the District’s efforts to replace its aging diesel-powered fleet with an electric battery-powered bus. LTD currently has 11 electric battery-powered buses in its fleet with 19 more on order, which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2022. After they arrive, 30 of LTD’s 100 buses will be electric battery powered.
Also included in the appropriations bill is $600,000 to support LTD’s work to develop a Mobile Wallet, a trip planning mobile technology that allows users to pay fares for LTD bus trips, rental bikes, vehicle parking, and other modes of transportation from one easy to use app.
“The funding for these projects keeps the District on track to meet its climate action goals as well as support similar goals set by the city of Eugene, Lane County, and the state of Oregon, Johnson said. “We thank Congressman DeFazio and Senators Merkley and Wyden for their leadership to support sustainable public transportation in the Lane Transit District.”
For more information about the other Oregon projects passed in the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill visit Senate.gov.
To learn more about Department of Transportation grants go to visit House.gov.
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About Lane Transit District (LTD)
LTD provides more than 10 million boardings per year on its buses and EmX Bus Rapid Transit line in Lane County, Oregon. Encompassing the Eugene-Springfield metro area, LTD is a special district of the State of Oregon and led by a seven-member board of directors appointed by Oregon’s governor. LTD also operates RideSource, a paratransit service for people with disabilities, and numerous transportation options programs to promote sustainable travel county-wide
