City receives $26.4 million federal grant for energy-efficient RTS system Welcome to Gainesville

Published on July 10, 2024

The Gainesville City Department of Transportation has received a $26.4 million grant, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced this week. The award is the single largest federal grant to the city for the Regional Transit System (RTS).

A significant portion of the award, $21.9 million, will enable the city to purchase full-size hybrid electric buses. The remaining funds, just under $4.5 million, will be used to build the city’s first solar energy facility at the RTS Administrative Complex. The federal award is specifically for public transit system upgrades and cannot be transferred to operational or administrative costs.

“Thanks to this historic investment in sustainable public transportation for our community by the Biden Administration, we will have one of the newest — and most fuel-efficient — transit fleets in the state,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward. “This funding will truly help us better serve our neighbors who rely on RTS for safe, efficient and reliable transportation every day.”

In February, Mayor Ward traveled to Washington, D.C., where he strengthened relationships with FTA officials and sought further federal support.

“This significant investment in clean energy technologies underscores our commitment to building a more sustainable future for our community,” said Gainesville City Manager Cynthia W. Curry. “Most importantly, these upgrades will provide environmentally friendly transportation for all neighbors, consistent with our vision of sustainability and mobility for all.”

The new buses could begin arriving in 2026, with RTS prioritizing replacing existing diesel buses based on mileage and age. The new buses will join five diesel hybrid buses and four battery electric buses currently in the RTS fleet.

Meanwhile, as soon as the planning and permitting processes for the on-site solar plant are completed, construction will begin on the RTS complex, likely within a few years. The new facility will use clean, renewable energy, offsetting a significant portion of the complex’s annual electricity consumption. In addition, the power generated by the solar panels will help charge a fleet of electric buses.

Bipartisan infrastructure legislation has allocated nearly $5 billion over the past three years to modernize America’s public transportation, including about $1.5 billion in funding announced this week.

“Today, another 117 communities across 47 states are getting good news that their public transit buses are being modernized and their commutes are being improved under President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies replace older buses that run on dirtier, more expensive fuels with modern, zero-emission buses, made by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go,” he said.

Key principles of the city’s strategic plan are building a sustainable community and mobility for all neighbours.