The city of Ocala is hosting a public hearing to review and receive comments on a proposed $16 million grant from the Federal Transportation Administration to purchase electric buses and vans, and to construct an electric vehicle maintenance facility.
Ocala City Council will host a public hearing for the matter during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 4 at Ocala City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue).
The project budget is $16,166,822 in funds from the federal government, with a match of $4,041,706 in toll revenue credits from the Florida Department of Transportation. There is no requirement of matching funds from the city or county, according to city records.
Currently, the projected budget allocates approximately $5,642,475 for five, 35-foot battery-electric buses, $3,380,000 for 26 battery-electric cutaway vans, and $4,345,070 for a battery-electric maintenance facility.
There are at least 12 other items included on the budget, including depot chargers for the buses and vans.
The Low or No Emission Project Grant Program was announced by the FTA in February. The program will award $1.5 billion in funding to support state and local efforts to buy or modernize buses, improve bus facilities, and support workforce development.
According to the FTA, the funding advances the organization’s priority of strengthening U.S. bus manufacturing, lowering vehicle costs, and accelerating the delivery of new vehicles.
To read more about the federal program, visit the Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Grant Program online.