Rep. Sykes Announces SARTA Awarded $17.2 Million Bus Facilities Grant
Funds will be used to upgrade clean transit infrastructure throughout Stark County
CANTON, OH — Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation selected the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) as a recipient of $17,254,229 through the Bus & Bus Facilities Grant Program.
“I’m proud to announce the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority will receive over $17.2 million to support clean transit investments in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. A meaningful quality of life and the economic development of Northeast Ohio depends on reliable transportation, and the fact that SARTA provides energy efficient and sustainable transportation is a win-win for the community and the environment. As the only Ohioan on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am glad to help secure this valuable investment that will improve public transit in our communities,” said Rep. Sykes.
The funding will support the SARTA Equitable, Zero Emission Transit Infrastructure Upgrade. SARTA will use the funds to purchase and install hydrogen refueling infrastructure, improve clean access points, upgrade the facility for solar energy, and establish a workforce training program focused on clean transit. The efforts will improve rider safety, accessibility, and usability, while supporting Ohio's long-term plan for a transition to clean energy.
“Today, 117 communities, including Stark County, are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”
“This is the largest grant SARTA has ever received,” said Kirt Conrad, CEO and Executive Director of SARTA. “In addition to basic items like a new roof on our bus garage and parking lot repaving, this will allow us to produce green hydrogen on site from water and solar panels. Several of our buses will operate on totally renewable energy.”
SARTA has the largest hydrogen bus fleet outside of California and has nearly eliminated the use of diesel in its fleet.