Provide two years of preventive maintenance three years of operating assistance two years of planning funds software procurement for technology upgrades and security upgrades for wprta to assist in…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority (WPRTA), doing business as Greenway Public Transportation, $11.9 million through the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on August 19, 2024. This formula grant supports a three-year operating period (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2027) and funds fixed-route transit services in Conover, Hickory, and Newton, as well as demand-response transportation services across Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties in North Carolina.

The award funds eligible preventive maintenance, operating expenses (including driver salaries and fuel), planning activities, software procurement, and security upgrades necessary to maintain WPRTA's rolling stock in a state of good repair and sustain operations. The grant enables WPRTA to continue providing essential mobility services to transit-dependent populations, including workers, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, while supporting infrastructure modernization and long-term transit planning initiatives across its four-county service area.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide two years of preventive maintenance three years of operating assistance two years of planning funds software procurement for technology upgrades and security upgrades for wprta to assist in fixed route transit operations during the period of 7/01/2024 to 6/30/2027. The operating assistance includes the provision of fixed route service in the cities of conover hickory and newton and demand response service in the urbanized areas of alexander burke caldwell and catawba counties.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover all eligible preventive maintenance and operating expenses such as driver salaries fuel items having a useful life of less than one year planning projects software and security.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit wprta to meet preventive maintenance standards continue to provide operations plan for future transit projects and services and keep rolling stock vehicles in a state of good repair.

Intended beneficiaries

Wprta and the riders that rely on its service will benefit from continued services permitting workers to get to work and other destinations.