The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) announced the Iowa DOT has been awarded a grant for low or no emission buses and facilities, which includes $10.6 million for HIRTA to build a facility and purchase 5 electric vehicles. This grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

HIRTA has provided transit services for over 40 years and is the only transit system in Iowa without a transit facility. The lack of adequate maintenance facilities, extreme weather, and inability to provide indoor bus parking all contribute to disrepair. Iowa has the second oldest bus fleet in the nation and HIRTA has the second oldest in Iowa. Relying on a fleet much past the useful life is costly to the region and uses funds that could be used for service in our communities.

This will be an inter-modal facility, creating a transfer point for Intercity Bus Services, other transit systems, and connecting rural communities to the Des Moines metro. The facility will allow HIRTA to protect and maintain our fleet and convert excessive expenses into services.

The Low and No Emission grant focused on projects which are eco-friendly, reduce greenhouse gases and use clean energy. The facility will use recycled rain water, solar energy, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and include electric vehicle charging stations.

HIRTA’s Executive Director, Julia Castillo said, “The HIRTA Board and Staff have been working toward this achievement for a while, I am grateful for all of the support and opportunities the facility will bring to HIRTA, and to the communities and people we serve. This facility will allow us to protect our vehicles, reduce our carbon footprint, and ensure a sustainable future for our region. We strive to be innovative and proactive in serving our communities and this grant gives that opportunity. We appreciate the support of the FTA, the Iowa DOT, and the Biden administration for making this project possible. We’d also like to thank the HIRTA Board and all elected officials for recognizing transportation as a necessary investment in our communities.”

Through the FY22 Low- and No-Emission and Bus and Bus Facilities grants, the FTA has awarded $1.66 billion in projects where American workers will build more than 1,800 new buses to support transit nationwide. The funding supports 150 projects for people and communities in 48 states and territories.