Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) applauded two new grants to update and replace Iowa’s aging statewide bus fleet. Currently, nearly 63% of the state’s public buses exceed the federal standard for use of life, according to the Iowa Public Transit Association.

The $27.8 million provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation includes a $12M grant for the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) to purchase 90 new buses, cutaways, and vans for 26 of the state’s transit systems. The project is intended to improve transit system conditions, service reliability, and lower maintenance costs for providers across the state.

The new funding also includes a $15.8 million grant to IDOT for local transit agencies to purchase battery electric buses and charging equipment, as well as transit facilities construction and workforce development activities.

That $15.8 million grant will support the following agencies in the Third District:

• 5 replacement buses for Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA)
• 1 replacement and 2 expansions for Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA)

“Many Iowans rely on dependable and safe bus systems to be connected to jobs and services and to contribute to our economy,” said Rep. Axne. “Our state’s transit agencies serve all 99 counties, providing millions of rides to Iowans across the state. I’m glad to see this investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law come to Iowa and I look forward to seeing how this project will connect our communities. I will continue working across the aisle to secure additional investments to bring our state’s infrastructure into the 21st century.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $375.7 million in FY22 funding for the bus and bus facilities grant program that awarded these funds. Rep. Axne was the only member of the Iowa House Delegation to vote for the landmark infrastructure legislation that will provide at least $5 billion in critical infrastructure investments to the State of Iowa.

Original source can be found here.