Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Seventy-two American Indian and Alaska Native tribes will receive a share of the funds. In particular, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians will receive $158,999 to purchase a vehicle to launch a new dial-a-ride transit service, and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians will receive $25,000 for a transportation planning study.

The FTA Tribal Transit Program provides discretionary grants to projects eligible to receive planning, capital and operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Some grants will be used to plan or launch new bus, van and commuter service in rural communities that have never been served by public transit before.

The money, which is awarded through the FTA's Tribal Transit Program, will provide grants to tribes in 25 states for 67 separate projects. The projects will focus on maintaining existing transit operations during the economic downturn and enhancing services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Federal tribal transit grants have enabled dozens of tribal communities and transit providers to purchase, modernize, and expand bus fleets, increase service for seniors and people with disabilities and launch new bus, van and commuter service in rural communities that had never been served by public transit before.

Tribal Transit program funds will provide grants to tribes for 59 separate projects, including transit equipment purchases and facility construction and improvements.