Detroit transit receives $20.5M in ARRA funds
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation will utilize the funding for several capital projects, including the purchase of three 40-foot alternative-fuel buses, an automatic vehicle locator system (AVL) and communications equipment.
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) will receive more than $20.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds that will be used to improve customer service.
Last Thursday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved $54.8 million in grants for transit agencies across the state of Michigan.
SMART will utilize the ARRA grant funding for several capital projects, including the purchase of three 40-foot alternative-fuel buses, one articulated alternative-fuel bus, 56 connector fleet vehicles, an automatic vehicle locator system (AVL), new fareboxes and communications equipment. Along with the capital projects, SMART is using the fully allotted 10 percent of the funding to assist with operations.
The $20.5 million is part of ARRA-funded road and transit projects for Southeast Michigan approved by local elected leaders working through SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. “Together, all of these projects should result in more than 4,000 new jobs in Southeast Michigan,” said Carmine Palombo, SEMCOG director of transportation programs.
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