Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes Metro to apply for a grant through the US Department of Transportation’s 5339b program. Metro is seeking funding to purchase three articulated buses (estimated cost-$700,000/bus), maintenance equipment including hoists and tools, and providing dedicated bus running way on both East Washington Avenue and Whitney Way.
As proposed in the grant materials, the City would provide up to a $2.5 million match for these funds. Matching funds for this grant will be funded by existing GO Borrowing anticipated in the outyears of Metro’s capital improvement program (CIP) in the Transit Coach-Diesel replacement program and the Bus Rapid Transit project. No additional GO Borrowing, beyond what is currently anticipated in the CIP, is anticipated to meet the grant match requirements.
Title
Supporting Madison Metro's 5339b Grant Application to Federal Transit Administration for articulated buses and bus priority measures.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison seeks to expand Transit to meet the growing transportation needs of the City, and;
WHEREAS, that the Imagine Madison Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Transportation Strategy 1 recommends improving transit service, especially peripheral employment and planning areas, and Strategy 2 recommends implementing Bus Rapid Transit, and;
WHEREAS, that the 2013 to 2017 Transit Development Plan, prepared by the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board and adopted by the City of Madison, Recommendation 13 advocates for transit supportive roadway features, Recommendation 18 advocates for Bus Rapid Transit, and Recommendation 23 advocates for diversifying Metro’s fleet with 60-foot buses, and;
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration has a competitive funding program, 5339b, for buses and bus facilities, of which the purchase of longer articulated buses and implementation of bus priority features on streets would qualify for a federal grant under this program, and;
WHEREAS, the program requires a commitment for a local funding match with the application, and that such commitment would make Metro’s application for such grant more competitive, and;
WHEREAS, the 2014 Bus Size Study adopted by the City of Madison (Resolution 14-00366) recommended larger 60-foot buses, and;
WHEREAS, the Madison Common Council has taken similar action (RES-15-00342 and RES-19-00471) to amend and adjust the city budget to demonstrate the City’s commitment to providing local match for a federal grant to fund transit supportive investments, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison’s 2020 Six Year Capital Improvement Plan includes city funding for Bus Rapid Transit and bus purchases, of which this grant submittal supports and helps implement; and,
WHEREAS, a separate resolution will be introduced to accept the 5339b funding if Metro Transit is awarded it,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that if the Federal Transit Administration awarded the City of Madison a grant of up to $5 million for articulated buses and bus priority treatment measures, the City of Madison would provide the match funds required, up to $2.5 million; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, if awarded the 5339b grant funding the City of Madison would accept the funding in a separate resolution.