Provide assistance for one year of planning assistance one year of architecture and engineering design expansion of the admin/maintenance facility the purchase of three replacement minivans vehicles…

This $8,000,878 Formula Grant award from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) will provide one year of planning assistance, architecture and engineering design, and operating assistance to the Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) in Ohio. The funds will be used to cover transit planning activities, architecture and engineering design to assist with technical and construction projects, preventive maintenance for WRTA's assets, the purchase of three replacement minivans and four electric non-revenue vehicles, the expansion of WRTA's admin/maintenance facility, the installation of a backup generator, and a phone system upgrade. These investments are intended to allow WRTA to better plan and develop routes, maintain its transit infrastructure and fleet in a state of good repair, and enhance service for its passengers.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide assistance for one year of planning assistance one year of architecture and engineering design expansion of the admin/maintenance facility the purchase of three replacement minivans vehicles one year of operating assistance funds for preventive maintenance to keep fixed assets in a good state of repair the installation of a back-up generator a phone system upgrade and funding for the purchase of four replacement non-revenue electric vehicles.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover transit planning activities for the development and update of our service plans transportation improvement programs ongoing analysis and evaluation of policies procedures and standards in the areas of service. Funds will be used for architecture and engineering design to assist wrta staff with specification development and project oversight on various technical and construction projects. Funds will be used for preventive maintenance to keep our assets in a good state of repair funds will be used for the purchase of three replacement minivan vehicles and four replacement non-revenue vehicles. Funds will be used for the construction of the expansion of office space and maintenance bays to accommodate the growth in our workforce. Funds will be used for the installation of a back-up generator at our downtown passenger terminal and funds will be used to replace our beyond useful life phone system.

Expected outcomes

The benefits from these funds will allow wrta to plan and develop routes to better serve our community assist in the construction of the expansion of our admin/maintenance facility. The purchase of replacement minivans vehicles will replace vehicles that are beyond their useful life so that wrta can provide a better service with newer vehicles for our passengers. The replacement of beyond useful life non-revenue vehicles with newer more environmentally sustainable vehicles. The installation of a back-up generator to make sure our transit center can remain operating during power outages. The continued maintenance of our assets in a state of good repair. With the upgrade to the phone system we will have a more reliable system along with additional features to make IT easier to answer calls for service.

Intended beneficiaries

Wrta and our passengers that rely on our service will benefit from continued services permitting workers to get to jobs medical trips education opportunities shopping and other destinations. Plus wrta will be able to reduce our carbon footprint that will help the environment.