BJCTA to get $3.6 million federal grant to replace old buses

The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority will receive $3.6 million in federal money to replace some of its worn-out buses.

The grant will allow the BJCTA to improve transit prior to Birmingham hosting the World Games, according to the FTA website. 

Buying new buses will also allow the authority to reduce maintenance and other costs and improve reliability and better bus service “will be critical” as Birmingham prepares to host The World Games in 2021, according to the site.

The award to the BJCTA was one of 139 transit projects in 52 U.S. states and territories that will receive funding, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration on Thursday, April 5.

The FTA announced about $264 million in projects to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems and enhance mobility for transit riders, the release states. It goes on to say the grants will fund projects to fix or replace buses and related equipment, as well as projects to buy, build or renovate bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance.