Rochester awarded $4.3 million for transit improvements

The City of Rochester has been awarded $4.3 million in federal funding to make improvements to its public transit service.

The grant is part of a $1.47 billion package announced this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation aimed at modernizing bus fleets and facilities across the country.

The city, according to a news release, plans to use its grant award, along with a 20 percent local match, to fund projects beginning this year and extending for the next three to four years.

Notable projects include $1.6 million for the construction of a new park-and-ride lot at US Hwy 52 and 75th Street NW. It will the first such facility owned by the city, and will have a capacity for 490 vehicles.

Additionally, Rochester Public Transit plans to use $2 million to improve bus stops and rider information systems. The multi-year project, which is already under way, will help update hundreds of stops around Rochester. 

“Improving the overall passenger experience is a priority for RPT,” said Ia Xiong, transit and parking systems manager for RPT. “This grant will provide a big boost to a program we started last year to improve the condition and accessibility of RPT’s over 700 bus stops. Now we have the funding to take action on those we have identified as a priority.”

Additional improvements, according to the city, will include upgrades to signage, benches, and waste receptacles.

Cover photo: File / Tom Roster via RPT