Davenport CitiBus awarded $4.8M in FTA Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant

August 16, 2022 - The City of Davenport is excited to announce it will be adding four electric buses to Davenport CitiBus beginning in early 2024, thanks to an award of over $4.8 million in Federal Transit Administration Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant funds. The federal funds will provide Davenport CitiBus with the resources necessary to bring the City up to speed with technology while providing reliable, affordable services to transit passengers.

The long-anticipated zero-emission addition will phase out twenty-year-old higher emission and costly diesel buses. Transitioning to zero-emission buses is a significant step for the City of Davenport to improve air quality in our community and reduce the operational cost of public transportation. A typical diesel bus produces nearly 230,000 lbs. of greenhouse gas per year. Once placed in operation, the City will keep 920,000 lbs. of greenhouse gases from being released into our atmosphere each year due to the grant.

Receiving the grant follows a successful campaign that raised $185,000 in additional funding from local stakeholders, MidAmerican Energy, $160,000, and the Regional Development Authority, $25,000. The City estimates its cost-share for the new buses is $675,000. Marla Miller, Transit Operations Manager, said, "The commitment of funding came on the heels of an electric bus tour hosted by Davenport in February 2022 where feedback was nothing but positive - quieter, smoother ride; new and bright; feels amazing compared to the current fleet. We can't wait for them to arrive!"

Miller added, "This is a win-win for the City, our passengers, community, and environment. Adding new buses to the fleet is huge, not to mention lowering the volume of energy (and costs) consumed while providing a valuable service to the community. Millions of Americans rely on American-made transit buses to get where they need to go every day. Public transportation helps the public travel to work, school, and everywhere in between. Staff consistently seeks funding opportunities to provide dependable public transportation to all."

Miller further mentioned, "We can't wait for the electric buses to arrive and over-the- top proud to share the news of this competitive grant award and what it means for our community."