The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Transit agency awarded $2.29 million
Investment will help service, operate with zero-emission technology
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $2.29 million to assist Laketran’s purchase of two low-emission electric buses and two charging stations that will service Lake County residents.
According to a news release issued from Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, the funding comes after Brown pushed the Trump Administration to support the project in June, citing the need for investment in Lake County transportation and Laketran’s readiness to implement the funds as part of its Battery Electric Fleet Conversion project.
The investment will aid Laketran’s plan to become one of the first transit agencies in Ohio to have all of its fixed-route local bus service operate with zeroemission technology.
“Lake County riders rely on buses to take them to work, school, or appointments and then to take them back home again,” Brown said. “Laketran is a leader in adopting new technology that reduces emissions and lowers the cost of providing transit service. This investment will help Laketran improve service for their riders and help Ohio continue its leadership in developing and deploying the next generation of zeroemission buses.”
On Aug. 24, the Federal Transit Administration announced $84.45 million in grant selections through the Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program, which funds the deployment of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced propulsion technologies. Fifty-two projects in 41 states will receive a share of the funding. Laketran was among the 13 transit systems across the country that received the highest award amount of $2.29 million.
Eligible projects include the purchase or lease of buses that are powered by modern systems such as hybrid or battery electric engines, as well as related infrastructure investments such as charging stations.
As the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees the FTA, Brown has championed federal investment
in zero-emission buses, the release stated.
Laketran CEO Ben Capelle said the news is very exciting for the agency, Lake County and Ohio.
“Laketran will be the first transit system in the state to operate batterypowered electric bus technology,” Capelle added. “With this Low-No award, Laketran will replace 12-year-old diesel buses with two zero-emissions transit buses and install charging stations to fully electrify one route.
“We’re conscious of the impact transportation has on the environment and we’re committed to improving the air quality in Northeast Ohio. Electric buses will not only reduce air pollution, but also our operating expenses. I would also like to thank Senator Brown’s office and our local community partners for their letters of support that helped Laketran provide a competitive application.”
During Senate consideration of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act in 2015, Brown worked to double federal investment in zero-emission projects like the Laketran project.
Laketran Board President Brian Falkowski believes the investment to improve transportation options in Lake County is a substantial accomplishment for the agency and community.
“Battery-operated electric bus technology is very innovative and Laketran is proud to be the first to bring it to Ohio,” he said.