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In This Issue
$1.3 Million In Grant Money
Charm City Circulator Starts Service
MARC's New Engines
HT Rides New Hybrid Vehicles
New Start Changes
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Issue: #11 January 2010
In this addition of On Transit, read about grant opportunities at MTA, Baltimore City's Charm City Circulator, Howard County's new hybrid vehicles, and changes in FTA's policy for New Starts Program.
$1.3 MILLION AVAILABLE IN THE BALTIMORE REGION THROUGH MTA'S 2010 SPECIAL SOLICITATION
MTA logoMaryland Transit Administration Solicits JARC and New Freedom Projects
 
On January 26, 2010, the MTA will be making available applications for the 2010 Special Solicitation of the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Programs. This 2010 Special Solicitation will offer one-year funding through the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5316 JARC and Section 5317 New Freedom Programs.  The funding cycle will be from July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011.

Funds Available:

JARC: $800,000
New Freedom: $500,000

Applications will be due March 31, 2010 at 2 pm.

CHARM CITY CIRCULATOR DEBUTED JANUARY 11, 2010
Baltimore City's Free Shuttle Hits The Streets

Charm City Circulator Bus
The Charm City Circulator's Orange Route, the first of three routes, started service with its new eco-friendly hybrid electric buses. This east-west route runs from Hollins Market to Harbor East. Buses are on a 10 minute frequency at each of the stops. Look for informative kiosks at the stops.
MARC'S NEW DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES DEBUT
First Two In Final Testing Pulling MARC Passengers
 
MARC Locamotive EngineAfter months of waiting for safety tests and other delays, the first two of twenty-six locomotives have started to pull MARC passengers. This is part of a 30-day revenue testing where the engines are paired with a back-up in case of any failure. After completing this last testing, MTA will start to receive 2 more engines a month.
 
These details come from Michael Dresser's "Getting There" in the Baltimore Sun.
 
 
EIGHT NEW HYBRID BUSES IN HOWARD COUNTY
Howard County Received Replacement Vehicles For Paratransit Service

Howard County's paratransit service, HT Ride, has taken delivery of 8 new hybrid vehicles and nine more are ordered. These are to replace some of the ten year old vehicles that have remained in service longer then their expected service life. HT Ride has a fleet of 28 vehicles.

These are the first hybrid paratransit vehicles of its kind in the Baltimore region. Each new vehicle costs $200,000 and was paid for with federal and local money.
 
CHANGE IN FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION'S NEW STARTS POLICY
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proposed new funding guidelines for major transit projects
 USDOT Logo
New funding guidelines for major transit projects are to be based on livability issues such as economic development opportunities and environmental benefits, in addition to cost and time saved, which are currently the primary criteria.

In effect, the shift means that major transportation projects no longer need to have at least a "medium" rating for cost effectiveness but rather at least a "medium" overall rating.
 
 BMC Logo
Tyson Byrne
410-732-0500 x 1048


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