The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced South Central Transit will be receiving 14 new paratransit vehicles valued at $1,732,000.
The Managing Director of South Central Transit Sara Nollman-Hodge says the 14 vehicles are badly needed to replace current busses that have over 250,000 miles dating back to a start of service date of 2005. The 14 vehicles represent about ten percent of the total number of vehicles South Central Transit is operating in their six-county service area that includes Marion, Clinton, Washington, and Jefferson Counties.
Nollman-Hodge expects the vehicles to arrive in the fall of next year. She reports a large number of the other busses also are nearing the end of their life and additional dollars will be sought to replace them.
South Central Transit last June received another state award to pay for three electric buses. Nollman-Hodge says the first three electric vehicles will present some challenges due to the maintenance staff as well as operating the vehicles about 250 miles a day.
In all, the Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that more than 500 paratransit vehicles valued at $57.1 million have been awarded to 113 transit providers through its Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program. $ 54 million is coming from federal funds and $3.1 million from the state’s Build Illinois program. By purchasing in large volumes, IDOT is able to buy the vehicles at a lower cost.
