Metrowest regional transit authority (mwrta) was awarded $1980000 of FY 2025 boston MPO transit transformation funds under massdot project ID# S12972 / mwrta estip project ID# MWRTA011814

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $1.98M in Federal Transit Formula Grants (CFDA 20.507) to the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) on May 21, 2025, for the procurement of transit vehicles and related equipment. The award, obligated through FY 2025 Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transit Transformation Funds under MassDOT Project ID S12972, funds the acquisition of three Gillig compressed natural gas (CNG) 30-passenger transit vehicles with a 10-year useful life and aftermarket accessories. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation provided the required 20% local match of $396K through Transportation Development Credits.

The vehicle procurement project directly supports the MWRTA's commitment to improving the state of good repair for its transit assets while advancing environmental sustainability and operational efficiency objectives. The new CNG vehicles are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to the authority's existing 16-passenger cutaway fleet, while producing 45% fewer hydrocarbons than traditional fuel sources. The procurement will benefit public transit riders across the MWRTA service area, reduce long-term maintenance costs through cleaner engine operation, and enhance service reliability and accessibility. The project completion deadline is September 30, 2028, with no subrecipient activities identified.

Activities

Procure three (3) gillig CNG 30 vehicles having a useful life of 10 years or 350000 miles.* aftermarket accessories for all three (3) vehicles.

Expected outcomes

Funding this vehicle procurement project will permit the metrowest regional transit authority (mwrta) to improve the state of good repair (SGR) for transit assets.larger capacity low-emissions vehicles will solidify mwrtas continued commitment to reducing emissions while improving safety reliability and accessibility. Numerous advancements in technology have allowed compressed natural gas (CNG) to become a widely available fuel source. Mwrtas deployment of larger capacity CNG fueled vehicles will reduce harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with its current fleet of 16-passenger cutaways. Research indicates that newly procured vehicles will reduce harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% when compared to mwrtas current fleet.

Intended beneficiaries

This procurement will benefit public transit passengers the metrowest RTA service area residents and the mwrta vehicle maintenance budget. Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles also produce 45% fewer hydrocarbons than other fuel types. CNG is less costly and burns much cleaner and more efficiently than traditional fuel sources. Reduced residue from CNG emissions will result in minimal damage to engine tubes and pipes prolonging vehicle lifespan and decreasing maintenance costs.