Replace ten aging buses that have reached the end of their useful life to restore reliable accessible safe and cost-effective revenue service while reducing maintenance burdens

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded Gulf Coast Transit District $1.5 million on May 11, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to purchase ten 2025 Ford Turtle Top Terra Transit MD (E350S) buses as replacements for aging vehicles that have reached end-of-life status.

The award funds the acquisition of replacement transit vehicles to restore reliable, accessible, and safe revenue service while reducing maintenance burdens and costs. Gulf Coast Transit District operates fixed-route, demand-response, and ADA paratransit services across Galveston and Brazoria Counties in the Houston metropolitan region. The beneficiary population includes GCTD staff (drivers, maintenance technicians, dispatchers, and administrators) and transit-dependent riders such as seniors, people with disabilities, low-income riders, and students, along with local businesses and employers.

The period of performance runs through September 30, 2027. Work is performed in Texas. No sub-recipients are involved in this award. The assistance type is a formula grant.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to replace ten aging buses that have reached the end of their useful life to restore reliable accessible safe and cost-effective revenue service while reducing maintenance burdens.

Activities

This grant will purchase ten 2025 ford turtle top terra transit MD (E350S) buses.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit gctd to continue to provide operations and ensure replacement of vehicles in accordance with the end-of-life cycle improving service reliability safety and accessibility while reducing maintenance costs.

Intended beneficiaries

Beneficiaries include gctd staff (drivers maintenance technicians dispatchers and administrators) and the riding public particularly transit-dependent populations such as seniors people with disabilities low-income riders and students along with local businesses employers and the broader community through improved mobility and reliability.