The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) has begun construction on a charging station at the main office at 2737 Broadway. The charging station will accommodate the two new electric buses currently on the assembly line with delivery expected in late March 2020. And, with an eye to the future, the charging station is being retrofitted to accommodate up to 12 electric buses.
The electric buses were purchased with the $1.75 million federal grant that the MTA won in 2017, part of a Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) grant totaling $55 million. The MTA was the only transit authority in Georgia to win the grant, and only one of six authorities nationwide to win the top dollar amount of $1.75 million.
Macon-Bibb County earmarked $1.2 million in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds in support of the required federal match.
The charging station’s construction and electrical permits were approved by Macon-Bibb County. The design was approved by the state fire marshal and the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, and all environmental studies are complete.
MTA CEO Craig Ross says, “This exciting project is more than two years in the making. We have been working behind the scenes doing our due diligence since being awarded the grant and are delighted to take this big step. We are pleased to work with Georgia Power, which is responsible for the construction and subcontractors, on this bold initiative for Macon-Bibb County.”
Ron Shipman, Georgia Power’s Central Region Vice-President adds, “Georgia Power is delighted to continue to partner with the Macon Transit Authority (MTA) as they offer electric buses as an alternative method of transportation for their riders. Clean, safe, reliable, affordable electricity in the form of efficient, non-emitting economical bus transportation is a “win-win” for the citizens of Macon and Middle Georgia.”
Construction on the charging station is expected to be complete by mid-January 2020, weather permitting.
The MTA will continue to provide updates on the project. A ribbon cutting is being planned for late Spring 2020.