The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has been awarded $213,696,341 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration's Rail Vehicle Replacement program to replace all 52 aging Light Rail vehicles in its fleet with new, modern railcars.
The State of Maryland is providing $90 million in matching funds, with an additional $127.6 million in federal formula funds allocated to the project, complementing the federal grant. This grant, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is a significant step towards improving mobility and safety for the Baltimore region.
Governor Moore expressed appreciation for the support of federal partners, stating, "Reliable transit in the Baltimore region is essential to connecting Marylanders with life's opportunities and spurring economic growth." Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld highlighted the importance of a more reliable light rail fleet, stating, "By having a more reliable light rail fleet with low-floor cars, MTA will deliver premier customer service to the greater Baltimore region."
Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold emphasized the significance of the grant for Baltimore and Maryland, stating, "This grant will help to ensure that Baltimore and Maryland continue to provide an equitable, modern transit system for years to come." The $450 million Light Rail vehicle replacement project is identified as a high priority in the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan and Capital Needs Inventory and is included in the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's long-range plan.
The project aims to replace each Light Rail car in the fleet with a modern, low-floor vehicle to improve accessibility and convenience for all passengers.
Benefits of the project include:
- increased frequency
- enhanced safety and comfort
- lower maintenance costs
- improved equity.
The federal funding underscores the commitment to providing safe and modern transit systems for communities across the country. To see the full article, visit the MTA website.
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