Tri-Cities to Receive $3.3 Million to Improve Transit

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Published: September 17, 2009

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Today, Governor Phil Bredesen announced that all three of the Tri-Cities, Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, will receive a total of $3,297,088 to improve local transit systems.

In Johnson City, the Johnson City Transit System (JCTS) will receive $1,472,011 in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transit services in the Johnson City area. JCTS operates several fixed routes and paratransit services including demand-response call-in service and the BUCSHOT Service on and around the East Tennessee State University campus. JCTS plans to use the Recovery Act funds to replace seven low-floor 30-foot buses and five paratransit vans, as well as the purchase of four bus shelters and automatic vehicle-location technology.

In Kingsport, the Kingsport Area Transit System (KATS) will receive $1,291,347 in funds for transit services in the city of Kingsport. KATS operates five fixed routes and paratransit services. KATS plans to use the Recovery Act funds to purchase several new buses, including passenger lift-equipped mini-buses and vans.

The Bristol Tennessee Transit System (BTTS) will receive $533,730 in funds for transit services in the Bristol, Tennessee area. BTTS operates three fixed routes within the city of Bristol covering major retail, commercial and medical facilities. BTTS plans to use the dollars to replace four paratransit 30-foot buses, two paratransit vans, a service truck and to purchase fiber optic phone equipment.

A total of $9.7 million in Recovery Act funds is being provided to eight small urban transit agencies in Tennessee.

“Many Tennesseans, particularly those with limited mobility, already rely on public transportation for their daily needs and many others would like to see expanded transit options,” said Bredesen. “The Recovery Act funds announced today will help our small urban transit providers in Tennessee improve service and replace aging fleets with safer, more reliable vehicles.”