The City of Sioux Falls has been awarded a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enhance public transportation infrastructure through the construction of new bus shelters and the renovation of existing bus stops along Sioux Area Metro (SAM) routes.
The $1.99 million in funding comes from the FTA’s Bus and Low or No Emission Grant Program that supports efforts to modernize transit systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local government agencies for the purchase or lease of zero- and low-emission transit buses, as well as the acquisition, construction and leasing of required supporting facilities.
SAM and the City of Sioux Falls will use the grant funding to help renovate existing bus shelters and bus stops and add new ones along key routes. The project will be completed in phases over two to three years.
“This grant represents a significant step forward in our commitment to improving the daily transit experience for our community,” said Bren Schweitzer, transit program coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls. “The rehabilitation of existing SAM bus stops and construction of new bus shelters is a critical step for Sioux Falls that will promote rider safety, support economic development and contribute to system modernization and increased ridership.”
The project will focus on upgrading current infrastructure to meet modern accessibility standards, including ADA-compliant features and enhanced weather protection. New shelters will also be strategically placed along high-traffic routes to better serve the growing number of SAM riders.
With increasing ridership and expanded modes of service, SAM provides access to economic opportunities, employment, medical facilities, educational institutions and other essential human resources. The proposed project will both contribute to the safety of riders and expand access to public transportation.
The city is one of the beneficiaries of the Low or No Emissions competitive program that distributed approximately $2 billion to support 165 projects in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
For more information about the city's transit system and SAM, visit siouxfalls.gov/sam.