On Thursday, September 8, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) will receive $8.2 million in a competitive grant to fund RTD’s Commuter Bus Replacement Project.
This project will replace outdated diesel fuel technology with newer, more efficient hybrid buses. The FTA grant will fund the purchase of 10 hybrid diesel-electric buses, which will not only sustain and enhance RTD’s San Joaquin Commuter service, but also preserve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RTD’s current 18-bus commuter fleet operates 11 weekday routes. These routes connect San Joaquin County commuters to employment centers in Sacramento and the Bay Area, including eight trips a day on the RTD-Bart Commuter route.
The grant funding for this project is part of FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Grants Program, which makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment.
“With an average daily ridership of 800 passengers, demand for our commuter routes remains high,” said RTD Chief Executive Officer Donna DeMartino. “This project and grant will help meet this demand and ensure that San Joaquin County residents have safe, reliable, and efficient transportation options for their daily commute.” More info at www.sanjoaquinrtd.com