GA-2023-025

Application Purpose: The purpose and goals of the award are to provide funding for the replacement of up to twenty-five (25) aging CNG buses that have surpassed their useful life with twenty-five (25) battery-electric buses. The new buses will be supported with the acquisition and installation of up to twenty-five (25) plug-in depot chargers. This project will help lower greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce maintenance costs.

Activities Performed: Activities to be performed include the replacement of up to twenty-five (25) aging CNG buses that have surpassed their useful life with twenty-five (25) battery-electric buses. The new buses will be supported with the acquisition and installation of up to twenty-five (25) plug-in depot chargers at the MARTA Perry Bus Garage. The project also includes technical services program support and workforce development activities for the authority to help train bus operations staff.

Expected Outcomes: There are a number of expected outcomes and benefits of this project. Electric buses produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel, diesel hybrid, and natural gas-powered buses. Electric buses can deliver financial benefits, including substantially reduced maintenance costs compared to diesel and compressed natural gas alternatives over a vehicle's lifetime, and in places where utility rate policies are favorable, reduced fuel costs. Also, by reducing air pollution, electric buses can also deliver significant societal benefits, including avoided healthcare expenses resulting from cleaner air. In addition, electric buses also produce much less noise than combustion engine buses.

Intended Beneficiaries: The intended beneficiaries of this award are the MARTA patrons that ride one of the thirty-seven (37) of MARTA's 113 routes that operate from the Perry Bus Garage. These routes service a diverse cross-section of MARTA's service area. In addition, this project will also benefit the local population in those communities that these cleaner, zero-emissions buses will serve. Benefits include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the air quality in the communities, including those identified as disadvantaged, helping to deliver societal benefits, including avoided healthcare expenses resulting from cleaner air, and improved transit service with a modernized fleet.

Subrecipient Activities: No subrecipient activities planned for this award.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

20.507 - Federal Transit Formula Grants

FTA Region 4 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Georgia United States

State-Wide

None

Infrastructure $30,601,373 (92%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 728% from $4,665,892 to $38,646,498.