CARTA to replace city’s diesel buses with all-electric models

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority will be replacing its diesel buses with all-electric buses thanks to a $2.2 million federal grant announced this week.

CARTA’s bus upgrade was among 38 projects in 38 states — and the only transit system in Tennessee — awarded part of $84.9 million in grants from the Federal Transit Administration through the Low or No-Emission (Low-No) program. Grants ranged from $284,759 and $3 million. The program funds the deployment of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced propulsion technologies.

Eligible projects include the purchase or lease of buses powered by modern, efficient technologies that include hydrogen fuel cells, battery electric engines, and related infrastructure investments such as charging stations, according to a news release.

“CARTA is very excited to have been selected to receive this grant funding,” CARTA’s Executive Director Lisa Maragnano said in a statement. “… This will help with our vehicle replacement plan going forward.”

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., celebrated the news Tuesday, saying in a statement: “New buses will enable CARTA to provide increased, modernized transportation options for Chattanoogans while creating job opportunities and attracting entrepreneurship to our region.”

For more information about the LowNo Bus Program Project, visit www.transit. dot.gov.

“CARTA is very excited to have been selected to receive this grant funding.”

— CARTA’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA MARAGNANO