Continue to operate PEX transit system. Cover operating and preventative maintenancel costs

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the Lee Russell Council of Governments (doing business as Area Agency on Aging) $826,590 on August 21, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to continue operating the PEX transit system and cover operating and preventative maintenance costs.

The funding supports fixed-route and demand-response public transit services serving the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area in Alabama through Lee Russell Public Transportation (LRPT). The recipient organization serves the general public of all ages, including older adults and people with disabilities, providing transportation to employment, essential medical services, senior centers, retail, and social opportunities. Secondary beneficiaries include the medical services, human services, and business communities that depend on public transit availability in the service area.

Performance runs through March 30, 2031. The award carries no sub-recipients; all activities are performed by the recipient organization.

Activities

Cover costs of operating and preventative maintenance.

Expected outcomes

This funding will permit PEX to continue to provide operations and capital for public transit to serve passengers in our service area.

Intended beneficiaries

PEX and the passengers that rely on its service will benefit from continued transportation permitting individuals to get to their jobs people to get to essential services such as the doctor pharmacy kidney dialysis cancer treatments specialists senior centers grocery stores the bank appointments and for needed socialization opportunities in their communities. Our passengers are the general public of all ages including older adults and people with disabilities. Additional beneficiaries include the communities we serve -- the medical services human services businesses employers etc. Who all benefit from having public transit available