Kentucky will use recent FTA grant to purchase more than 150 vehicles serving rural communities

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is revealing how it plans to invest the $7 million awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in September to improve bus services across the commonwealth. KYTC says that 17 organization that serve more than half of Kentucky's counties will use the funds to modernize bus fleet and facilities and enhance passenger safety. 

“We’re pleased to partner with the FTA to improve the link between residents, commuters and businesses in the rural areas of our state,” said KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas. “Safe, efficient transit systems are a critical to building local economies and these funds will ensure many Kentuckians maintain reliable access to work, school and more in the years to come.”

Kentucky’s grants will be used to purchase transit vehicles, onboard cameras, maintenance equipment and computer software and will aid in facility upkeep and security.The list of Kentucky agencies that will benefit from the funds and what the agencies plan to invest in, includes:

• Audubon Area Community Services will purchase 24 vehicles with $1.188 million
• Blue Grass Community Action Partnership will purchase six vehicles using $297,000
• Central Kentucky Community Action Council will purchase 10 vehicles with $424,000
• Daniel Boone Community Action Agency will purchase eight vehicles with $342,000
• Fulton County Transit Authority will use $454,900 to purchase 10 vehicles, as well as the purchase/renovate of an administrative facility 
• City of Frankfort DBA Frankfort Transit will purchase four vehicles using $405,000     
• Gateway Community Services Organization will use $43,000 to purchase a single vehicle
• City of Glasgow DBA Glasgow Transit System will use $57,000 to purchase a single vehicle   
• Harlan County Community Action Agency will use $319,568 to purchase six vehicles, GPS modems,on-board and facility security cameras and resurface three parking lots
• Licking Valley Community Action Program will use $548,432 to purchase 10 vehicles, software and shop equipment
• Louisville WHEELS Transportation will purchase seven vehicles with $392,000
• Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership will purchase three vehicles with $126,500
• City of Maysville DBA Maysville Transit System will purchase one vehicle with $56,000
• Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency three vehicles with $109,500    
• Pennyrile Allied Community Services will purchase six vehicles with $285,000
• Paducah Transit Authority will purchase two vehicles using $850,000
• Sandy Valley Transportation Services will purchase 15 vehicles with $702,500    

The FTA Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program provides federal assistance for replacing, rehabbing and purchasing buses, bus equipment and facilities. The FTA received applications for 339 eligible projects. A total of 107 projects in 50 states and territories were selected to receive $366.2 million in grants.