Provide funding for the maintenance and replacement of bartas fixed route and paratransit buses and rehab upgrades and improvements to sctas facilities and equipment as well as purchasing fare…

The Federal Transit Administration awarded South Central Transit Authority $571,876 on January 25, 2026, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526) to fund public transportation infrastructure and fleet modernization in the Reading urbanized area of Pennsylvania.

The award funds the purchase of replacement 40-foot hybrid electric fixed-route buses, twelve replacement paratransit buses, one year of non-fixed-route ADA paratransit service, facility and equipment renovation and rehabilitation upgrades, a rooftop solar panel project, and fare collection equipment. These activities support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the South Central Transit Authority/Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (SCTA/BARTA) system and help minimize in-service vehicle breakdowns and service disruptions.

The period of performance runs through September 1, 2028. Place of performance is Pennsylvania. No sub-recipients are identified for this award.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide funding for the maintenance and replacement of bartas fixed route and paratransit buses and rehab upgrades and improvements to sctas facilities and equipment as well as purchasing fare collection equipment to help ensure barta operates a safe reliable and efficient public transportation system in the reading UZA.

Activities

1 year of non-fixed route ADA paratransit service- purchase of replacement 40-foot hybrid electric fixed route buses- purchase of twelve (12) replacement paratransit buses- facility/equipment renov/rehab upgrades and improvements- rooftop solar panel project- purchase fare collection equipment

Expected outcomes

The regular replacement maintenance and improvements of scta/bartas vehicles buildings and equipment contribute to an efficient and cost-effective operation and helps minimize in-service breakdowns of vehicles and their impact on service delivery.

Intended beneficiaries

Local residents businesses scta/barta employees and contractors and other individuals and stakeholders that benefit from bartas public transportation services.