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Jackson council backs transit grant applications including funds for bus shelters and benches
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to apply for and accept federal transit grants — a competitive Bus and Bus Facilities application for $3.5 million and formula apportionments totaling roughly $3.96 million — and discussed using a $291,591 bus-and-bus-facilities allocation to buy benches and shelters, with a local match.
The City Council on July 8 authorized the mayor to apply for two U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration grant opportunities: a FY 2025 competitive Bus and Bus Facilities grant for $3.5 million and formula urbanized-area and bus-facilities apportionments totaling roughly $3.96 million combined.
Transit staff explained the larger $3,669,601 allocation (section 5307 of Title 49) is the city’s annual urbanized-area apportionment that the city typically uses for operations, preventive maintenance and other recurring transit needs. A second formula amount — $291,591 under section 5339 — is for bus and bus facilities and is intended for capital items. Staff said the 5339 funds this year would be paired with a $72,008.98 local match and that the administration planned to use those dollars initially for benches and shelters at stops.
Council members stressed equitable placement of benches and shelters across neighborhoods. Councilman Hartley and others urged staff to make sure low-income neighborhoods receive bench and shelter installations and not concentrate improvements only in higher-income areas. Council members also reiterated prior requests for bus-stop benches so older residents do not have to sit on the ground while waiting for buses.
The council approved the applications and authorized the mayor to accept awards and execute related documents if grants are awarded.
