Last night, Escambia County received notice that ECAT is one of the funded transportation organizations nationwide that won a $21 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for an all-electric bus fleet. Commissioner Jeff Bergosh has the details.
Here is the email that Bergosh shared on his blog:
“I send this email to inform you that on July 9th, FTA announced the results for the competitive Low or No Emissions Program 5339 (c) awardees, and Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) was on the list. ECAT will receive funding ($21,272,962) to buy battery electric buses and install a charging station as part of ECAT’s plan to transition to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.
This is a major accomplishment for the staff of ECAT and Escambia County from a transit perspective. We have been looked over at the State and Federal level for many years due to the belief that there was no desired change in how we operated or viewed transit in our area. To be selected as one of the 117 funded projects from the 47 states that submitted applications, clearly shows that the once-known “pre-historic” transit agency in the State of Florida is moving in the direction of excellence.”
This is wonderful news, at least as many as 100 new buses, can be purchased from these monies, it will allow routes like the East Pensacola Heights route to return, for the 31 to go back to hourly service, the 45 back to 30 minute service, this is an outstanding development and will increase economic competitiveness of our area.
I want to be clear, and I will say more about this in the coming days, I hereby fully back the call of Commissioner May for cameras to be installed in the Montclair area and I do believe it is an appropriate use of Children’s Trust Fund money and I believe ultimately, other areas of District 3 and Escambia County at large should have cameras put up as well.