08.12.22

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $71 Million In Funding For Illinois Transit Systems From Department Of Transportation's Low-No And Buses And Bus Facilities Grant Programs

CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $71,009,648 in grant funding awarded to Illinois transit systems by the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Programs.

The Low-No Program will support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles by providing funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. The Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. 

“Not only will electric vehicles enable a cleaner future, they’ll create widespread jobs across the state,” said Durbin. “These federal funds will give Illinois’ transit systems the resources they need to bring themselves up to speed with technology while providing reliable, affordable services for Illinoisans.”

“Transitioning to electric vehicles—and other green energy sources—puts us on the path to a healthier environment while opening up new avenues for economic growth and job creation in our state,” said Duckworth. “With this federal support, we’re able to help modernize Illinois’s public transit by replacing and rehabilitating bus fleets across the state with low-pollution, energy efficient models.”

Recipients of Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities grants include:

  • Chicago Transit Authority (CTA Electric Bus Program: Chicago Garage Electrification and Electric Bus Purchase): $28,836,080
  • Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System (Connect Transit Zero-Emission Service Expansion and Neighborhood Access Project): $13,076,800
  • Decatur Public Transit System (Decatur Public Transit System Zero-Emission Fleet Transition): $16,840,000
  • Springfield Mass Transit District (Springfield Mass Transit District FY22 Low No and Buses and Bus Facilities Grant): $5,927,788
  • Rockford Mass Transit District (Battery Electric Bus Deployment with Charging Depot equipment and Hybrid Bus Procurements): $6.328,980

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