Continue to operate lrpt transit system. Cover operating and preventative maintenance costs

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded $1.909 million to Lee Russell Council of Governments on August 25, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to continue operations of the Lee Russell Public Transit (LRPT) system.

The funding supports operating expenses, preventative maintenance, and capital improvements for public transit service in the Auburn-Opelika area of Alabama. LRPT will use the award to maintain fixed-route and demand-response transit services serving the general public, with emphasis on older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income passengers. The recipient will construct a new secure parking facility for buses, including fencing, lights, and cameras to prevent unauthorized access and theft.

Lee Russell Council of Governments, doing business as the Area Agency on Aging, is a regional coordinating organization based in Opelika, Alabama. The organization has received consistent Federal Transit Administration funding for LRPT operations and capital projects.

The award obligates $1.909 million and carries a period of performance through March 30, 2037. Work is performed in Alabama. The recipient indicated no sub-recipients for this award.

Activities

This funding will permit lrpt to continue to provide operations preventative maintenance and capital funds for public transit to serve passengers in our service area. Complete new secure parking facility for buses to include fencing lights and cameras.

Expected outcomes

This funding will permit lrpt to continue to provide operations preventative maintenance and capital funds to serve passengers in our service area assist in preventing illegal access to buses which in turn helps prevent theft and damage to buses. Also provides more security for drivers.

Intended beneficiaries

Lrpt 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