Purpose: this application will provide federal financial assistance for bsoob transit to support operations preventive maintenance and various capital activities

The Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit (Shuttle Bus), a public transit provider in Maine, has been awarded a $2,526,855 Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA), under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507). This funding will support a range of transit-related activities between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026, including:

1. Operating assistance for regular flex route urban transit services
2. Upgrades to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) and maintenance management systems
3. Preventive maintenance on vehicles, equipment, and facilities to maintain a state of good repair
4. Funding for a mobility manager to engage with elderly and disabled citizens to expand service usage and promote general public bus ridership
5. Installation of an automated bus wash system to thoroughly clean bus undercarriages and protect against wear from salt and sand
6. Enclosing an existing concrete platform adjacent to a garage to increase supply storage capacity

The grant aims to enable Shuttle Bus to maintain a safe, well-functioning transit fleet and facilities to serve local and visiting bus passengers in the Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach communities. There are no sub-recipient activities associated with this award.

Activities

Activities to be performed: 1) operating assistance for regular flex route urban SERVICES2) ERP and maintenance management system UPGRADES3) preventive maintenance as necessary to keep bsoob transit vehicles equipment and facilities in a state of good REPAIR4) support for the mobility manager who reaches out to elderly and/or disabled citizens to expand service usage by these populations as well as simplifying clarifying and promoting bus usage by the general PUBLIC5) an automated bus wash system that will enable maintenance workers to thoroughly clean the exterior of the buses including the under CARRIAGE6) enclose an existing concrete platform adjacent to a garage BAY to increase supply storage capacity.

Expected outcomes

Funding will enable bsoob transit to maintain a safe well-functioning fleet to service local and visiting bus travelers. The associated grant application includes funding to maintain the bus fleet and the facilities that support transit operations. The facilities will be enhanced by enclosing an existing concrete platform that is adjacent to the garage and will be used to house supplies. A bus wash system will clean the undercarriage of buses to protect parts from salt and sand erosion. Funding will provide the maintenance department with an ERP system upgrade to better manage data to provide staff with reports for record keeping and decision making.funding will provide for the mobility manager who is responsible for engaging groups or individuals who would benefit by our service. Outreach is directed to those who are new to the area the elderly and disabled who may not be aware of our service or who may be intimidated by riding the bus.bsoob transit will continue to improve ridership services by engaging in planning activities that are funded by this grant.

Intended beneficiaries

Bsoob transit employees and passengers including local residents commuters and tourists will benefit by using safe and reliable vehicles. Maintenance workers will be able to clean the entire bus including the undercarriage. Information regarding bsoob transit services will be communicated to elderly and/or disabled citizens as well as the general public. Bsoob transit staff will have better maintenance management system to generate reports for easier record keeping and decision making.

Subrecipient activities

There are no subrecipient activities.