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5339 Bus and Bus Facilities: Large Urban Areas-REVISED REPORT
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DESCRIPTION: Grant Application for Federal funds to replace non-revenue vehicles |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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To authorize the Chief Executive Officer to apply for federal funds in the amount of $1,353,895 to purchase non-revenue vehicles to replace vehicles that has been utilized beyond industry standard service life and beyond the years required by the FTA. The local match is $267,507 and the total project amount will be $1,631,596.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The State of Louisiana DOTD is receiving applications from the large urban area for FTA 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities grants. If awarded, the applicant would be direct grantee to the FTA and not LA DOTD.
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DISCUSSION:
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is requesting $1,353,895 to fund the replacement of 25 mid-size SUV’s, 9 half ton 4 door pickup trucks, a one-ton welding truck, a 10 to 13-yard dump truck and a midsized box truck/vault truck. These non-revenue vehicles are to replace vehicles that, surpass the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) minimum required years of use and thirty-one (31) will be retired. The six (6) additional will increase fleet size.
The non-revenue fleet plays a critical role in the success of any agency. Daily supervision, critical support staff all require vehicles that are safe and reliable to support the daily operations and ensure the rider experience is premium. The ability to respond timely and reliable to mechanical problems that occur when the buses are on the route is a requirement of any transit agency. The vehicles that are part of this request have surpassed the number of years of service required by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) and will be retired once the replacements are placed into service.
The 25 SUV’s would be hybrid vehicles, in addition to helping to meet many of the Federal, State and Local government environmental initiatives, these vehicles are best suited for weather and road conditions of New Orleans. The City of New Orleans is undergoing a major roads reconstruction program and the frequent rainstorms often lead to street flooding so a vehicle that suited for this environment is best. The Field Supervisors would be the primary users of the SUV, they make frequent stops, leave the air conditioner running and are charging computers. The hybrid technology has the potential to save the agency roughly $3,500 per year, per vehicle due to the savings from not idling the gas engine and miles per gallon savings of a hybrid.
Additionally, as we move to increase our On-Time Performance (OTP) and service reliability across all modes our fleet of trucks that mechanics use to respond to road calls, rail track maintenance and safety conditions need to be reliable. Although RTA staff adhere strictly to OEM-recommended in past years as the fleet ages. The ability to respond to field repairs in the shortest amount of times will greatly reduce the downtime and increase the OTP.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The use of hybrid vehicles has the potential to save the agency roughly $87,000 per year in operation/maintenance cost that can be reinvested in the agency. The RTA will be responsible for the local match if the grant is awarded. That amount is expected to be $267,507.00.
NEXT STEPS:
This grant application is due to LA DOTD on March 30, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 5339 Urban Application 2021_New Orleans RTA_2021_final
2. 2021 04-27 Board Resolution Updated 3.30
3. 2021 03-11 Board Resolution Approved
4. 2021 03 23 Bus and Bus Facilities Board Report Original
Prepared By: Lona Edwards Hankins, lhankins@rtaforward.org
Title: Deputy CEO Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Lona Edwards Hankins, ljankins@rtaforward.org
Title: Deputy CEO Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson-Banks
Title: Chief financial Officer
4/13/2021
Alex Wiggins Date
Chief Executive Officer