Fund operations short range planning activities and the repair/replacement and maintenance of facilities and equipment and purchase vehicles for service expansion to support the lrta in its…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) a Formula Grant totaling $10.14 million under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on July 15, 2025. This award supports LRTA's operational and capital needs through September 30, 2027, and encompasses four primary categories of deliverables: short-range transit planning activities; facilities and equipment improvements including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, and parking infrastructure upgrades at the Gallagher Intermodal Center and transit operations facilities; procurement of two 35-foot fixed-route buses to expand service capacity; and operating assistance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Additionally, the grant supplements a prior FTA award (MA-2020-027) to fund engineering design and rehabilitation activities at transit facilities.

These products and services are designed to enable LRTA to maintain its transit fleet and infrastructure in a state of good repair while expanding reliable and safe public transportation services across its 14-member service area in Massachusetts, which includes Lowell, Acton, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, and ten other communities. LRTA currently operates 75 or fewer buses in fixed-route service during peak hours and provides demand-responsive transportation for elderly and disabled populations, ensuring continued regional mobility and connectivity to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's commuter rail system.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to fund operations short range planning activities and the repair/replacement and maintenance of facilities and equipment and purchase vehicles for service expansion to support the lrta in its provision of reliable responsive and safe transit services to the public.

Activities

Activities to be performed:1) short range planning ACTIVITIES2) facilities equipment improvements including replacing a non-revenue vehicle replacing paratransit scheduling and dispatch software IT equipment repairs/replacement and maintenance spare parts activities and state of good repair facilities and equipment improvements including HVAC/plumbing electrical/lighting fire suppression elevator/conveyance flooring sitework garage seam/caulking and parking equipment maintenance as well as vehicle facility maintenance equipment. Also includes supplementing prior flex funds grant MA-2020-027 for engineering design and rehab/construction activities to upgrade transit facilities located at the gallagher intermodal center parking garages and transit operations facilities.3) purchase of (2) 35 fixed route buses for expanded service 4) operating assistance for the period of 7/1/26 to 6/30/27

Expected outcomes

Funding will enable the lrta to better define and plan service improvements and expansion and continue to provide safe and reliable transit service and keep its vehicles facilities and equipment in a state of good repair

Intended beneficiaries

The ridership of the lrta service area. Lrta operates 75 or fewer buses in fixed-route service during peak service hours. The lowell regional transit authority (lrta) provides public transportation services within 14 member communities: lowell acton billerica carlisle chelmsford dracut dunstable groton maynard pepperell tewksbury tyngsboro townsend and westford. The lrta provides fixed route bus service to six (6) communities a demand-responsive service to ten (10) communities for elderly and disabled persons special minibus service to (12) regional councils on aging and a shuttle which services all major business and tourist sites in the city of lowell. The lrta also assists the massachusetts BAY transportation authority (mbta) commuter rail system which operates via keolis daily commuter trains between lowell and north station in boston MA.