This application is for the unobligated lapsing FTA section 5339 funding originally awarded to scdot in FFY 2023

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority Inc. (doing business as Carta) $5 million in formula grant funding on May 20, 2026, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526). The award comprises $4 million in federal Section 5339 funding and $1 million in local matching funds from Charleston County sales tax. The funding supports bus and bus-related equipment replacement serving the Charleston urbanized area.

The award represents unobligated FTA Section 5339 funding originally appropriated to the South Carolina Department of Transportation in Fiscal Year 2023 and transferred to Carta for deployment. Performance occurs in South Carolina with an ultimate completion date of March 30, 2032. The grant carries no subrecipient activities. Carta must procure all transit vehicles exclusively from FTA-approved transit vehicle manufacturers, comply with the FTA Buy America Act and Build America Buy America Act requirements ensuring steel, iron, and manufactured goods are produced in the United States, follow third-party procurement policies under FTA guidance C4220.1G, and verify that all contractors meet FTA suspension and debarment requirements. Carta must report vehicle contracts to the FTA within thirty days of contract execution.

Activities

Carta will use these funds to purchase two (2) replacement buses including associated on-board capital items and bus rehabilitation activities on active revenue vehicle approaching their useful life. The vehicles will be two cutaway-style buses with a useful life of five (5) years or 150000 miles. Rehabilitation activities will allow carta to sustain coaches current maintainability and serviceability to reach the end of useful life. The scope of work could include replacement of propulsion systems HVAC systems operator area equipment suspension system fluids and pneumatics lines fire suppression steering systems surveillance system bicycle racks and unforeseen work such as chassis repairs roof seals leveling valves etc.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit the carta transit system to maintain federally-funded equipment in a state of good repair extend vehicle life improve reliability and reduce long-term costs by replacing or rebuilding critical components mid-way through their useful life. The new vehicles will also require less maintenance saving money time improve system reliability and continue 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.