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CARTS awarded grant to purchase hybrid trolley buses

Submitted Photo Pictured above, an example of a trolley shaped bus that the County could purchase with these grant funds.

Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System has been notified by the New York State Department of Transportation that it will receive a $1.5 million grant for the modernization and enhancement of the CARTS transportation fleet via the purchase of clean-fuel hybrid trolley buses and associated equipment.

“Everyone at CARTS is very excited to begin work on this new project,” said Michele Westphal, Senior Project Coordinator at CARTS.

“With this grant, CARTS moves another step towards modernizing our public transit system, utilizing clean energy technology, and promoting our growing tourist industry with uniquely styled trolley buses throughout Chautauqua County,” said Brad Bentley, Director of Public Facilities. “This was a highly competitive grant and having a significant portion going to Chautauqua County highlights the needs and opportunities that this grant can fulfill.”

NYSDOT received over 25 applications totaling $33.3 million for this $14.2 million competitive solicitation. In total, only 13 counties, cities and regional authorities received a portion of the $14.2 million to modernize and enhance municipally sponsored public transportation services.

“I am excited about this grant,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “It has been several years in the making and the upgrades to the CARTS service will be exciting and bring a fresh new face out of our county public transportation.”

“Chautauqua County is moving forward! The wonderful news that the CARTS service has been awarded a $1.5 million DOT grant represents the exciting culmination of a comprehensive effort to improve the system that I launched during my tenure as County Executive. The fleet upgrade that will be financed with these funds will complement the numerous improvements we made to the CARTS system in recent years, including Saturday service,” said Senator George Borrello, 57th Senate District. “As the only public transportation system in Chautauqua County, modernizing CARTS so it can be accessible to all was a priority when I was at the county level and continues to be. My thanks go out to all the leaders whose partnership made this achievement possible. Together, we are ushering in a new era for public transportation in our region which will have a real and significant impact on our quality of life.”

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