The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA)  announced that it will award $20 million to 47 communities to help improve public transportation options in areas experiencing long-term economic distress. FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) program provides support to state and local governments, transit agencies, and nonprofit organizations to create better transit for residents with limited or no transportation options.

Investments from the Areas of Persistent Poverty program can be used to support efforts to initiate transit service as well as improve service and modernize fleets, from procuring low- and no-emission buses, to launching scheduling apps and improving bus stops. They also deliver on our commitments to invest in projects that provide benefits to communities with environmental justice concerns.

The grants are specifically awarded for studies to improve transit in Census-defined low-income areas. The program also supports coordinated human service transportation planning to improve mobility and access or provide new services, including paratransit.

Some of the selected projects include:

• The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority in Connecticut will receive $450,000 to conduct a planning analysis targeting underserved communities. It will develop policy and planning processes that link equity with transit investment; a fleet, facility, and deployment plan to transition the bus fleet to zero-emission propulsion systems; and an educational program for residents and business owners to better inform them about transit and mobility options.
• The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $778,500 to assess whether to reopen the historic Englewood (Green) Line Racine station with modern accessibility standards. The station, which closed nearly 30 years ago, is recognized as a key investment to revitalize the neighborhood. By engaging with residents and other advocates, CTA hopes to maximize the impact of increased transit access and the positive effect it can have on the community.                                                                                                                                                                                                 -via Press Release