The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority says it is receiving a $7.2 million grant for the purchase of 19 new buses.
Officials announced yesterday the funding would be coming from the Federal Transit Administration and will be used on new low-emission vehicles that will reduce the RTA's carbon footprint.
The new buses will join eight others that have been running routes since last month.
“Providing reliable, safe transit options to our riders is a paramount priority of the New Orleans RTA,” said Alex Z. Wiggins, CEO, New Orleans RTA. “This grant award will not only better connect our riders to the places the they live, work and play, these new buses will also help us improve service in communities where increased access to transit is most needed, like East New Orleans and the West Bank, while also reducing our carbon footprint with low-emissions vehicles."
In addition to the federal money, the RTA committed $2.4 million in matching funds from a local one-cent sales tax.
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