Las Cruces approves RoadRunner grant applications for electric buses
LAS CRUCES, NM – The Las Cruces City Council approved two resolutions regarding RoadRUNNER Transit grant applications to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration. One of the resolutions authorizes the city to submit a grant application for up to $5.8 million that could be used to purchase electric buses.
The city relies on grant funding for many of the critical programs provided each year for Las Cruces residents. In accordance with the Grant Policy approved by the City Council on May 7, 2018; a resolution to approve cash match requests for requests for support in excess of $250K or greater at a 1:1 match ratio will be presented prior to the funding request being submitted.
The City Manager’s Office reported that the RoadRUNNER Transit Section is in the process of changing the existing fleet of fixed route buses from diesel fuel to electric. Funding has previously been awarded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to initiate that transition with the purchase of five electric buses, electric charging stations and project management costs.
The FTA has issued the Notice of Opportunity for combined Low and No Emission Vehicle and FFY22 Bus and Bus Facility Funding Opportunity, due May 31, 2022. The City will submit two applications, one for additional electric buses and one to finance the new facility.
The requested application will be for seven additional buses, which are planned to replace those fixed-route buses that have met or exceeded their expected useful life per FTA guidelines. The total grant project amount for this request will be up to $6,900,000. Of that amount, up to $5,800,000 in grant funds will be requested. The cash match required will be up to $1,100,000,000. The City’s contribution will come from the Telshor Fund, as was done for the initial purchase of electric buses.
The City Council indicated that the request contemplates authorizing the submission of the grant request, and approving the cash match requisition.
The second resolution authorizes the City to submit a grant application for up to $3.1 million by May 31, 2022 that, if approved, would be used to construct a maintenance and operations facility for RoadRUNNER Transit. The proposed facility would be constructed on City-owned land on Motel Blvd, adjacent to the Las Cruces Utilities facility.
The total grant project amount for this application will be up to $3,900,000. Of that amount, up to $3.1 million in grant funds will be requested. The cash match will be up to $800 thousand. The City’s match will come from the remaining 2019 City Infrastructure Bond funds dedicated to the construction of the facility.
Source: MEXICONOW Staff