TARTA gets $1.2M grant for buses

8/8/2008

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority has been awarded a $1.2 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation to buy four new buses.

The grant will be used to replace four 35-foot buses that are 17 years old, General Manager Jim Gee said.

The award was the second major capital grant TARTA has received in two weeks. On July 30, the transit authority received a $1.7 million grant from the Ohio Department of Development to install low-emission engines in 33 of its buses.

Mr. Gee said the two grants will help TARTA maintain its 174-bus fleet, but won't offset operating shortfalls caused by high gas prices and reduced state support. "These are capital funds that are specifically for the purpose of replacement of used vehicles," he said. "I cannot use them to pay for operating costs, such as fuel and wages."