FTA received requests totaling more than $4 billion from 400 transit agencies -- more than five times the available grant money offered.

"Whether it's replacing aging buses with fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles, constructing new bus shelters and maintenance facilities, or installing updated fare boxes and fleet-tracking systems, we are helping transit agencies deliver safer and more reliable service, operate more efficiently, and lower fuel costs," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote on his blog.

FTA awarded nearly $100 million to 17 state DOTs for transit vehicle replacement and facility construction. Some of the largest awards given to states were:

• Colorado Department of Transportation: $14 million to rehabilitate and enhance bus facilities and services statewide, including facilities in Boulder, Eagle County, Roaring Fork, and Avon.
• Maryland Department of Transportation: $12 million to replace its 103-year-old Bush Street bus maintenance shop, which has exceeded its useful life. The replacement garage will be used to maintain and accommodate 700 new hybrid and articulated buses. Construction will include repair/inspection bays, space for parts storage, and a dedicated rebuilding area.
• Illinois Department of Transportation: $10 million for projects that include rehabilitating an existing building to serve as a vehicle maintenance, storage, and administrative center; repaving and replacing lighting in a parking lot; purchasing and installing a new bus washing system; constructing a maintenance and dispatch facility; and undertaking various building renovations.

"America's transit users want bus service that is safe, reliable, comfortable, and clean," FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said in a statement. "These funds will go a long way in helping more than 100 urban and rural transit agencies deliver the high-quality bus service that Americans deserve."

This money is being granted to help maintain the nation's transit systems after a recent study by the FTA found that $78 billion is needed to bring rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair, and that 40% of the nation's buses are in poor to marginal condition. (see July 23 AASHTO Journal story)

A complete list of grant recipients is available at bit.ly/100810FTA.