$15M announced for Appleton and Green Bay transit

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Appleton and Green Bay are getting more than $15 million in federal funding for zero-emission buses and a new maintenance center.

The money comes from a Federal Transit Administration program stemming from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced the award this week.

A total of $12 million will go to Appleton‘s Valley Transit agency and support renovating the Whitman Facility, officials said. The project calls for updated maintenance bays, a new fueling and bus wash lane and an expanded bus storage area. The renovation comes with sustainable features such as a solar array, rainwater collection for washes and electric vehicle charging.

“This grant will help make our vision to deliver a safe, reliable, and ultimately more environmentally sustainable public transportation system for Appleton and the greater Fox Cities,” Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said in a statement.

Green Bay will get more than $3.1 million to replace its diesel buses with battery electric buses and charging equipment, officials said. Officials added they expect the effort to reduce maintenance costs and the city will be closer to its 100% clean energy goal by 2050.

“I am extremely proud that the City’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint are receiving recognition and support from the federal government,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich in a statement. “I am thankful to President Biden and (DOT Secretary Pete) Buttigieg for making these funds available, Senator Baldwin for her strong representation and support of our application, and Director Kiewiz for her innovative leadership of Green Bay Metro,” he added.

The FTA’s Low and No Emission and Bus & Bus Facilities grant programs gave federal funding to the state and local government to buy or modernize buses, improve facilities and support hiring. The programs stem from the federal infrastructure law, which will give $5.6 billion through 2026 through the Low-No program and nearly $2 million for the bus facilities program.

In July, Appleton received $25 million to reconstruct the Valley Transit Center.