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Macomb to Seek Federal Money for New Buses

Rich Egger

The federal government will make $366 million available for bus and bus facility projects across the country.  Macomb is interested in a share of that cash.

 
“They’ve designated 10% of that, which is $36 million, for rural agencies,” said Nathan Cobb, Director of McDonough County Public Transportation (MCPT). 
He said MCPT’s bus fleet is “very aged.” He would like to buy a pair of 30-foot diesel buses to start updating the fleet.

“The average age of our 25 vehicles is 13 years. I think 17 of the 25 are over 12 years and have over 500,000 miles on them, which is the criteria (that makes them eligible for replacement),” Cobb said.

Cobb said the new buses will cost $400,000 each.  He said the city will need to provide a 20% match to get the federal funding.  He said there is more than enough money in the city’s Public Transportation Reserve Account to cover the $160,000 needed.

Applications are due in early August. Cobb said Macomb is required to send its application to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which will then submit the proposal to the federal government.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.