Federal Funding Assists Lexington with Clean Energy Buses Acquisition
In a significant development towards cleaner, greener public transportation, Lexington, Kentucky, via its public transportation system, Lextran, will be acquiring six new low-emission vehicles. Funded primarily by over $4.2 million in federal funding, this recent advancement showcases a prominent step towards embracing sustainable transport alternatives.
Investing in Low Emission Public Transportation
Lextran, the public transportation system of Lexington, announced that the massive grant, amounting to $4,223,340, was received as part of a historic federal initiative aiming to modernize public transportation across the United States. This investment comes under the Federal Transit Administration’s Low/No Emission Bus Grant program, a dedicated branch of the Department of Transportation.
The funding will allow for the replacement of Lextran’s older diesel buses with new, low-emission compressed natural gas buses. The old vehicles are believed to have exceeded their useful lifespan and the new buses promise more than just modernized replacements.
Benefits Abound from Sustainable Buses
The use of compressed natural gas buses leads to several substantial benefits for the community. The most significant being improving the air quality by reducing emissions in the city. Further, they will offer increased reliability for the riders, ensuring a seamless public transportation experience.
Aside from the environmental benefits, the new buses also promise fiscal efficiency. They are expected to have lower operational costs compared to traditional diesel buses, and these savings can be passed on to the local community by maintaining affordable fares and further investment in the public transportation system.
Comments from Lextran Authorities
Lextran General Manager Fred Combs expressed elation at the receipt of the federal funding. He emphasized the positive impact of the new buses on the city’s environmental footprint. In addition, he mentioned that the funding will facilitate service quality improvements and sustain Lextran’s commitment to offering efficient mobility solutions to the community.
Combs also highlighted the broader impacts on job creation – another significant advantage of replacing the old diesel buses. The move is expected to stimulate workforce development and support job availability in Fayette County, a positive result that Combs expressed considerable pride in.
A Nationwide Green Transportation Initiative
This grant is part of a broader Federal Transit Administration’s nationwide initiative to modernize and upgrade public transport systems. The initiative, which delivers approximately $1.5 billion in funding, currently leads 117 projects across 47 states. It is strategically developed to reduce transportation emissions, foster American manufacturing, and create well-paying jobs countrywide.
With the arrival of new buses, over 60% of Lextran’s fleet will now consist of vehicles running on compressed natural gas, battery-electric, or hybrid technologies. In further testament to its efforts, all the buses will be equipped with bike racks and will be wheelchair accessible, signifying a fully inclusive transportation system.
More About the Changes
Additional information about the new buses and Lextran’s services can be found on their official website.
