This application is for FFY 2023 2024 and 2025 section 5339 funding in the amount of $2204556 (federal portion) which includes the FY 2023 section 5339 funding in the amount of $646499 (federal…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority Inc. (CARTA) a formula grant of $2,755,695 on July 16, 2025, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526). The award comprises $2,204,556 in federal funding (80%) and $551,139 in local matching funds from Charleston County Sales Tax Dedicated Transportation Projects (20%), with an ultimate completion date of March 30, 2033. The three-year funding cycle spans Federal Fiscal Years 2023-2025, consisting of $646,499 (FY 2023), $777,723 (FY 2024), and $780,334 (FY 2025) in federal allocations.

Under this award, CARTA will utilize funds for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, and lease buses and bus-related equipment, as well as to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, or lease bus-related facilities. The recipient has certified that all vehicles purchased will be accessible, procured from FTA-approved transit vehicle manufacturers, and reported to FTA within 30 days of contract execution. CARTA will comply with all applicable FTA regulations, including the Buy America Act requirements, third-party procurement policies, and suspension and debarment verification procedures. No indirect costs or research and development activities are included in this application.

Activities

Carta will utilize these funds for the purchase of four (4) replacement buses including associated on-board capital items. The four vehicles will be 35-foot transit buses with a useful life of 12 years or 500000 miles. The associated capital items will include items such as the AVL system electronic farebox bike racks electronic destination signs automatic passenger counters GPS tracking equipment stop annunciators and camera systems. The associated capital items will have a useful life of 7 years.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit the delivery of transportation services to the community. Vehicle replacement will maintain federally-funded equipment in a state of good repair and will require less maintenance saving money time improve system reliability in the pursuit of reaching a state of good repair.

Intended beneficiaries

Carta transit system and its customers that rely on transit service will benefit from continued services permitting workers to get to employment sites and further economic productivity in the community.