The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) was awarded a $10 million State of Good Repair grant by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
TDOT collaborated with 15 transit agencies to submit a joint application to FTA for the replacement of transit vehicles that have exceeded their useful life based on years in service or mileage. TDOT is one of only five DOTs to receive a statewide State of Good Repair Grant.
“This joint application reflects the good relationship among Tennessee’s transit agencies, as well as their strong alliance with TDOT,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We are excited to assist in this effort, and to help these agencies make upgrades that will benefit users in every region of the state.”
Three large urban agencies, three small urban agencies, and nine rural agencies participated in the statewide application submitted to the FTA by TDOT. Participating agencies included Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority; Memphis Area Transit Authority; Knoxville Area Transit; Johnson City Transit; and Jackson Transit Authority.
All of the agencies are members of the Tennessee Public Transportation Association (TPTA), which includes large urban, small urban and rural transit agencies. This is not the first time that Tennessee’s diverse transit agencies have joined forces to seek federal funding. In years past, Tennessee transit agencies have been successful in banding together to pursue Congressional earmarks.
Since the award is 16.5% of the amount needed to replace all the vehicles that have exceeded their useful life at participating agencies, TDOT is providing each agency with 16.5% of their original request. The large urban and small urban agencies will work directly with FTA to obtain the funding. TDOT will assist the rural transit providers in procuring replacement vehicles.