Last week, UTA announced in a press release that it had been awarded more than $41 million in federal grant funding to modernize its bus fleet and replace aging vehicles.

“Through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program, UTA will receive $21.33 million to purchase 25 new clean diesel buses, replacing older vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life,” the release said. “The project supports UTA’s State of Good Repair plan and includes workforce training and equipment to ensure operators and maintenance staff are prepared to support the new buses.

“UTA has also been awarded $20.5 million through the FTA’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program to procure 24 new low-emission compressed natural gas buses. These vehicles will replace aging buses in UTA’s existing CNG fleet.”

UTA Senior Public Information Officer Gavin Gustafson told the Standard-Examiner in an email that some of these buses may potentially serve routes in Ogden, but only time will tell.

“The buses will likely be in service by 2028, so undetermined which buses and where they will replace,” he said.

He said buses in the UTA fleet have a regular schedule for replacement.

“We typically run our buses for approximately 10 years and are always exploring funding sources to be in place prior to buses reaching the end of their useful life,” he said.

Gustafson said he was unsure of how many buses in the fleet were currently approaching the decade threshold.

The press release notes that both grants will be executed within the coming year and that they fit well within UTA’s operations.

“UTA intentionally maintains a mix of propulsion technologies across its fleet to reduce exposure to fuel market volatility while maintaining flexibility to meet service needs,” the release said. “The new clean diesel and CNG buses will support routes throughout the UTA service area, expanding access to jobs, healthcare, education and recreation while improving air quality.”

Gustafson said the grants will be a great asset to the transit system’s operations and have benefits well beyond simply adding new buses to the system.

“We greatly appreciate the Federal Transit Administration and Utah’s congressional delegation for their support, as this investment will enable UTA to further modernize its bus fleet while continuing to provide reliable and affordable service across the region,” he said. “Funds from these two grants will help to improve air quality with new, clean diesel and low-emission CNG buses, and ensure UTA’s workforce is equipped to serve riders safely and efficiently into the future.”