BusTalk

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South Coast Today - SRTA expands purchase of new buses with stimulus money

By Brian Boyd
bboyd@s-t.com
March 06, 2010 12:00 AM

The region's transit authority is buying more new buses to replace its aging fleet, thanks to another shot of federal stimulus money.

The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority will get its new buses earlier than expected, with 10 vehicles expected this spring and 19 more in coming year. While the authority had already said it's buying new buses with stimulus cash, it will be acquiring eight more than were originally planned.

In total, SRTA will acquire 29 buses over the next year, most of them with money from the $787 billion economic stimulus package, said Joseph L. Cosentino, the authority's administrator.

The first 10 of the new, 30-foot buses are expected to arrive in late May or June. They will be welcome additions to the authority, which has 63 fixed-route buses.

"We're still running 1991 and 1995 buses," Cosentino said. "We have the oldest fleet in the commonwealth."

The next 10 buses are likely to arrive in the fall or early winter, with the balance coming late winter or early next spring, he said.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday announced $72.5 million in stimulus funds for transit improvements in Massachusetts, including $2.6 million to SRTA for operating assistance and the purchase of the eight buses.

Cosentino said the $2.6 million is not entirely new stimulus money.

However, SRTA had originally planned to allocate most of the $2.6 million toward creating a new permanent terminal in Fall River, but it could not find a site for the project in time. So the authority is instead increasing its purchase of buses, with the approval of the Federal Transit Administration, he said.

SRTA is receiving a total of about $9 million from the stimulus package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Overall, the authority is buying 20 of the buses with stimulus money and nine others using separate federal funds.

LaHood said in Friday's announcement that the stimulus package was designed to help lift the economy out of the worst recession since the Great Depression.

"Rebuilding the nation's infrastructure is a key part of that prescription for strength," he said in a statement. "It creates jobs today and builds a better, more sustainable economy moving forward."

Most of the money allotted for the state is going to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority is receiving $199,947 to repair and replace ornamental fencing at the Attleboro commuter rail station.

"These funds are creating jobs now while investing in the future of our transit systems," said Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff in a statement. "The public's demand for transit service continues to grow, and these dollars will help meet that need."

Copyright © 1995-2010 South Coast Media Group, a division of Dow Jones Local Media Group

[Bill D]

Any word on who will be building the buses for SRTA?

[ripta42]

I'll be shocked if it's not Gillig.