Des Moines and Ann Arbor Benefit from FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Program

Transit agencies are planning new construction projects with funds provided through FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The total investment of nearly $390 million into 34 transit projects will deliver nearly 200 new buses and construct or rehabilitate approximately 11 bus maintenance facilities. Transit agencies in Des Moines, IA, and Ann Arbor, MI, announced their planned upgrades.

DART

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority received $20 million to construct a new operations and maintenance facility. Combined with a 2019 grant and local match funding, DART is making progress to construct a much-needed new facility. The current facility—built in the 1970s—is in poor condition. It is undersized for modern buses, requires major electrical and mechanical systems replacement, and is prone to flooding. The new facility will accommodate bus storage, administrative and operations office space, and a bus wash, fueling, and body shop.

DART CEO Amanda Wanke said, “DART is committed to maximizing taxpayer dollars in providing a service that allows people to get to vital destinations and drives our economy. To do that efficiently, we need a safe and modern space for our team to prepare vehicles for the road. We thank our local and federal leaders for helping us move forward on the most effective solution for meeting our long-term infrastructure needs.”

Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) commented, “This $20 million award is huge for central Iowa transportation and will make the DART bus system even more reliable and efficient for every Iowan who depends on it to get to work, school, or simply pick up groceries. I am proud to work directly with our local communities to fight for DART and the 3.8 million annual rides provided. This is the largest of any comparable grant—to build a new facility and open up Des Moines for exciting developments in affordable living.”

TheRide

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) received nearly $8 million in federal funding to support the development of a new Ypsilanti Transit Center. TheRide received 7.2 million from FTA’s competitive Bus and Bus Facility grants program. The additional $750,000 was provided through Congressionally Directed Spending for enhanced security improvements that was part of the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriation Act, recently approved by Congress. TheRide is working on a detailed design of the new transit center with construction slated to begin in 2027 and completed by the end of 2028.

“We thank Michigan’s congressional delegation for their leadership and partnership in securing federal funding for the new Ypsilanti Transit Center,” Matt Carpenter, CEO of TheRide, said. “This funding is crucial in helping us build a transit center in Ypsilanti that is safe, vibrant, and equitable in the heart of the community.”