The award will enable the steel valley regional transit authority (SVRTA) to strengthen and sustain critical public transit services through operating assistance strategic planning capital maintenance…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a Formula Grant totaling $387,500 to the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority (SVRTA) on July 29, 2025, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526). The grant funds operating assistance, strategic planning, capital maintenance, and capital purchases to sustain critical public transit services in the Weirton-Steubenville metropolitan area across West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania through June 30, 2027.

The products and services delivered through this award include: (1) operating assistance covering essential costs such as driver wages, fuel, and day-to-day expenses required to maintain consistent transit operations; (2) strategic planning activities focused on route optimization, ridership analysis, and long-term service planning to improve accessibility and address community transit needs; (3) capital maintenance funding for critical fleet servicing including engine replacements, transmission repairs, and vehicle refurbishments to extend fleet lifespan; and (4) capital purchases for new vehicles, infrastructure upgrades, and technology improvements such as fare collection systems, GPS tracking, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant enhancements. Expected outcomes include the replacement of five aging buses to modernize the fleet, enhanced operational efficiency, improved service alignment with rider needs, and reduced maintenance costs.

Activities

Operating assistance the grant will cover essential operating costs including driver wages fuel and day-to-day expenses required to maintain consistent transit services. This funding ensures that svrta can continue serving the community without service disruptions. Strategic planning svrta aims to enhance transit system efficiency through route optimization ridership analysis and long-term service planning. These efforts will focus on improving accessibility expanding mobility options and addressing community transit needs. Capital maintenance to sustain a safe and reliable fleet funding will support critical maintenance including engine replacements transmission repairs and other key refurbishments that extend vehicle lifespan and minimize costly breakdowns. Capital purchases the grant will be used for acquiring new vehicles infrastructure upgrades and technology improvements such as fare collection systems GPS tracking and ADA-compliant enhancements ensuring a modern and efficient transit system.

Expected outcomes

Strengthened operational support secured funding will sustain daily transit operations ensuring reliable and uninterrupted service for the community.strategic service enhancements targeted planning efforts will align transit routes with rider needs improving accessibility and optimizing resource allocation.fleet and infrastructure advancements the replacement of five aging buses will modernize the fleet enhancing efficiency reducing maintenance costs and supporting a more sustainable transit system.

Intended beneficiaries

Local commuterssenior citizensindividuals with disabilitieslow-income and underserved communitiesregional workforce and employersthe environment and local communities