CTA amends five-year CIP after $121.1M FTA Low-No award to buy hybrid buses
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Summary
The board reviewed and placed on the omnibus a capital improvement program amendment that adds roughly $130.5M, including a $121.1M FTA Low-No grant for up to 150 hybrid diesel-electric buses and $6M of IDOT local project funding for RPM environmental work; the amendment revises the five-year CIP toward a $6.8B total.
CTA staff told the board the proposed amendment would increase the five-year capital improvement program by roughly $130.5 million, bringing the five-year total to about $6.8 billion.
Tom McComb outlined the four funding sources: an FTA Low-No Emission grant of $121,100,000 to purchase up to 150 hybrid diesel-electric 40-foot buses (to replace buses placed in service in 2006); an RTA-administered $2,400,000 award from an EPA/Driving a Cleaner Illinois program to purchase up to five all-electric maintenance trucks and charging equipment; an $800,000 CMAQ contribution plus $100,000 in regional sales tax proceeds (with $100,000 in CTA capital as a local match) to reconstruct the Halsted/79th bus turnaround; and a $6,000,000 IDOT local project funding award for planning and environmental assessment for phase 2 of the Red-Purple Modernization project.
On the Low-No grant, staff said the hybrid buses will reduce fuel consumption by about 250,000 gallons a year and produce roughly $750,000 in annual fuel savings at current rates; the award was described as "the largest single award in the country" in staff remarks. Directors congratulated staff on securing the grant and asked implementation questions about timing and whether the federal program is ongoing; staff said funds become available as projects are ready and they will continue applying to the program.
The board placed the ordinance on the omnibus for approval; it will be included in the omnibus roll-call vote.
