WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding $13.9 million in federal funds to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to purchase new buses, paratransit vehicles and equipment.
“Public transportation remains a critical method of travel for many New Orleans residents to get to and from work or to meet other essential needs,” said Dr. Cassidy. “These funds ensure the transit authority’s fleet is efficient and will meet the demands of a growing workforce in the city.”
The New Orleans RTA plans to use the funds from the Bus and Bus Facility Grant Program to replace 21 buses and 21 paratransit vehicles as well as acquire two heavy duty lifts and two hoists.
The old vehicles have been in use since the fall of 2005 or were purchased shortly after Hurricane Katrina. The transit authority believes the replacement of these vehicles will decrease maintenance costs and revamp the fleet’s dependability.
The New Orleans RTA also plans to match up to $3,479,000 of the grant.
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