TDOT Awards Grant for Free or Reduced Fare Transit Rides on Ozone Alert Days
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 | 10:19am
Metropolitan Transit Agencies to Share $200,000 in Grant Funds
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Transportation is helping urban areas fight high ozone levels by offering $200,000 in grant funds to five urban transit providers for free or reduced fare transit trips during ozone alert days. The Memphis Area Transit Authority, Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority, Clarksville Transit System, Knoxville Transportation Authority and the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority will share the $200,000 grant to provide reduced fares or free transit rides on days when ozone levels are projected to be high.
"I'm very pleased to see this grant used strategically on the days it will matter most for Tennessee's air quality," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "These funds will give our transit providers the chance to increase ridership, help Tennesseans who are struggling to pay record-high gas prices find travel alternatives, and reduce harmful emissions in our urban areas on Ozone Action Days."
Ozone Action Alerts are issued when ozone concentrations are expected to reach unhealthy levels.
TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely added, "Lowering vehicle emissions in our major urban areas is especially vital on ozone alert days. The department is pleased to provide funds that could have a positive impact on the environment and the health of our citizens."
The funding is being offered through TDOT's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, or CMAQ. CMAQ funds are appropriated annually by Congress and allocated to state transportation departments according to a federal formula.
TDOT's CMAQ program provides funding for transportation projects that reduce air emissions from mobile sources in air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air quality non-attainment areas are counties which contribute to or have higher levels of air pollution than allowed under federal air quality health standards. Air quality maintenance areas are former non-attainment areas that must continue to work to maintain attainment of federal air quality health standards.
The following Tennessee counties are currently eligible for CMAQ funding: Anderson, Blount, Cocke (partial county), Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Montgomery, Roane (partial county), Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson.
Local governments within CMAQ eligible counties may propose projects for CMAQ funding. All CMAQ projects must be included in a long range transportation plan and Transportation Improvement Program. All projects must also conform to established CMAQ guidance published by the Federal Highway Administration.
For more information on TDOT's CMAQ program visit the TDOT website. For more information on transit providers in your area visit the Smart Commute web site.
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