WASHINGTON — Six rail transit systems will receive more than $700 million in grants to replace aging railcars under grants announced Friday by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.
“Every day, millions of Americans rely on subways, commuter rail, and light rail to get to work or school, buy groceries, and see loved ones, but many railcars still in service are decades old and in need of replacement,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release. “These grants will help bring riders faster, safer, more reliable service on America’s rails.”
The grants are part of $1.5 billion in funding available through 2026 under the program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Selected for grants are:
— The Chicago Transit Authority, which will receive $200 million to buy up to 300 new electric multiple-unit railcars to replace equipment operating since the 1980s, addressing the needs of a fleet with an average age of nearly 40 years.
— The Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, which will receive $196.3 million for 60 new light rail vehicles for the St. Louis area’s Metro system, replacing equipment that has exceeded or is near the end of its useful life.
— The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, receiving $130 million to buy 60 new light and heavy rail vehicles that can operate on both systems, eliminating the need for the authority to maintain two separate fleets. Cleveland has …
— The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, operator of the Tri-Rail commuter service in the Miami area, which will receive $72.7 million to replace 24 locomotives and passenger cars, some 32% of its fleet.
— The Utah Transit Authority, receiving $60 million for 20 light rail vehicles to replace older railcars. The new equipment will improve reliability and safety and prove accessibility by allowing direct boarding and reducing the need for boarding devices.
— The Sacramento (Calif.) Regional Transit District, receiving $45.1 million for 16 new light rail vehicles, replacing older equipment which has exceeded its useful life and addressing the system’s state-of-good-repair needs.
Awards were determined based on criteria outlined in a Notice of Funding Opportunity. The FTA received more than $3.5 billion in funding requests.
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