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TARTA Receives $2.2 Million Grant from Ohio Department of Transportation State Funding to Support Purchase of New Buses


For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Laura Koprowski,

Chief Communications and Customer Experience Officer

lkoprowski@tarta.com

Office: 419.245.5219

Mobile: 419.764.5951 

TARTA Receives $2.2 Million Grant from Ohio Department of Transportation State Funding to Support Purchase of New Buses 

(TOLEDO, Aug. 24, 2020) – The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to combine with other federal funding in order to purchase up to 12 new buses. 

“We thank ODOT for this critical funding to invest in TARTA’s fleet,” said General Manager Kimberly Dunham. “This is an important step on the journey to bring additional funding to TARTA and prioritize what matters most for our customers and this region.” 

TARTA currently maintains a fleet of 88 full-size buses with the oldest vehicles being 2001 models. Transit industry best practices advise the useful life of a public transit bus is 12 years and/or 500,000 miles. This year, TARTA announced a Fix It First Plan to address the age and reliability of its fleet by seeking grant opportunities and creative partnerships with peer transit agencies. 

TARTA’s grant award was part of ODOT’s Ohio Transit Partnership Program (OTP2), which is providing more than $30 million in competitive grant awards to 37 Ohio public transit agencies. Demand for the grant program far exceeded available funds. Fifty-four transit agencies submitted 178 applications totaling more than $115 million in requests. 

“OTP2 dollars provided through the state general fund are extremely important to Ohio’s public transportation systems,” said Ohio Public Transit Association President and Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority General Manager Claudia Amrhein. “These grants fund mobility projects providing improved access and quality of life for thousands of Ohioans who depend on public transit daily.” 

Last week, TARTA also announced a partnership with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to purchase 49 buses from the Columbus-based agency. Through these combined efforts, TARTA will be upgrading 50 percent of its fixed-route fleet by 2021. 

About TARTA 

The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) provides a vital link in the Toledo metro area to jobs, education, health care and other destinations. It enables everyone in our community to have access to transportation regardless of their age, race, physical ability or economic background. TARTA is underway with exploring and introducing new initiatives and service options that will enhance convenience and customer experience while moving Toledo into the future of public transit. 

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TARTA serves the communities of Maumee, Ottawa Hills, Rossford, Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Toledo, and Waterville.
 

TARTA does not discriminate in employment, provision of services, and/or business practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, military status, and physical or mental disability. TARTA prohibits workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, as well as retaliation against employees.
 

All language assistance services for Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority programs and services, including paratransit functional assessments and paratransit eligibility appeals, are provided to the public at no charge.
 

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