The FTA has awarded $25 million in grants, with an additional $6.25 million local match, to fund the “Proud to Charge” Zero Emissions and Sustainable Transportation Program in Prince George’s County.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $25 million in grants, with an additional $6.25 million local match, to fund the “Proud to Charge” Zero Emissions and Sustainable Transportation Program in Prince George’s County.
The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is a recipient of the FTA’s FY22 Buses and Bus Facilities, and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle Program grants. These awards will bring necessary change to Prince George’s County by enhancing access to transit, improving County infrastructure, and supporting new workforce development opportunities for Prince Georgians.
“As a County, we are taking major steps to transition to an environmentally sustainable transit fleet and provide training opportunities in the tech workforce,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “With these grants, we will create even more sustainable modes of transportation for Prince George’s County residents, increase access to transit, and make a positive impact on our environment as we work to combat the effects of climate change.”
“With these awards, we’re helping communities across America – in cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike – purchase more than 1,800 new buses, and most of them are zero-emission,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this announcement means more good jobs for people across the country, cleaner air in our communities, and more affordable and reliable options to help people get to where they need to go.”
Photos: Tracee Wilkins from Channel 4 News interviewing Semia Hackett of DPW&T.
The Low-No Grant award will contribute to DPW&T’s ongoing implementation of the “Proud to Charge” program by allowing the purchase of 20 zero-emission vehicles, the modernization of bus garages to utilize charging systems, and the redesign of bus routes. The program will accelerate advancement of DPW&T’s initiative to reach, if not exceed, the goal of a 70% electric bus fleet by 2035. “Proud to Charge” is just one of the many ongoing projects underway in Prince George’s County. The County also recently announced the New Carrollton Multi-Modal Transportation Station, a federally funded project that will bring major infrastructure and transit-oriented improvements to the County.
Photos: Tracee Wilkins from Channel 4 News interviewing Semia Hackett of DPW&T.
“We are excited to receive this award that will move our transportation services to a more sustainable future,” said Michael Johnson, Acting Director of DPW&T. “The Buses and Bus Facilities, and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle Program grants offer a profound way for us to combat climate change and improve the critical infrastructure of our communities for generations to come.”
For additional information, follow DPW&T on social media (@PGCountyDPWT) for updates on the “Proud to Charge” program initiative.