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CCAT requests stimulus grant
By Jolene Guzman, Staff Writer
Monday, April 13, 2009 | No comments posted.
COOS BAY - Politicians and economists can debate the effectiveness of the federal stimulus plan, but for Coos County's public bus network manager, the possible infusion of cash would certainly benefit this region.
"I don't see it as a bailout, but the government throwing us a lifeline," said Bruce Bennett, the Coos County Area Transit manager.
The agency has applied for a $480,000 grant appropriation.
CCAT doesn't have a taxing base, so it depends on rider fares and government funding to keep the wheels rolling. While state public transportation grants pay for some new vehicles and operating costs, Bennett said the service is falling behind.
"We are getting bogged down with older vehicles," he said.
CCAT also is looking for a home base for its fleet. Bennett is appreciative of being allowed to rent the space for an office from South Coast Business Employment Corporation in Bunker Hill and have a place to park the buses, but the arrangement is not ideal. SCBEC needs the space, especially in the parking lot.
Vehicle security also is a rising concern of the Federal Transit Administration. At the Bunker Hill site, buses are out in the open. If all goes well with the federal stimulus request Bennett turned into the Oregon Department of Transportation, CCAT's bus and office space problems may be solved.
Bennett applied for a grant to pay for a new office location and secure bus lot from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He is tentatively looking at a lot in Coos Bay on 28th Street. It includes a building that can be used as a garage for minor repairs and cleaning the buses, a small office and employee break room.
"Right now they don't have a place to hang their coat," Bennett said.
The buses could be secured behind a fence, which CCAT would install.
New buses are also on Bennett's mind. The grant application package includes funding for four buses, offering a chance to park some very tired vehicles. Additionally, he'd like grant money to pay for a federally mandated upgrade to the service's two-way communication system.
"When you are not a taxing entity, it's very hard to grow, " he said. "This (federal stimulus money) comes at such a very good time."
"I don't see it as a bailout, but the government throwing us a lifeline," said Bruce Bennett, the Coos County Area Transit manager.
The agency has applied for a $480,000 grant appropriation.
CCAT doesn't have a taxing base, so it depends on rider fares and government funding to keep the wheels rolling. While state public transportation grants pay for some new vehicles and operating costs, Bennett said the service is falling behind.
"We are getting bogged down with older vehicles," he said.
CCAT also is looking for a home base for its fleet. Bennett is appreciative of being allowed to rent the space for an office from South Coast Business Employment Corporation in Bunker Hill and have a place to park the buses, but the arrangement is not ideal. SCBEC needs the space, especially in the parking lot.
Vehicle security also is a rising concern of the Federal Transit Administration. At the Bunker Hill site, buses are out in the open. If all goes well with the federal stimulus request Bennett turned into the Oregon Department of Transportation, CCAT's bus and office space problems may be solved.
Bennett applied for a grant to pay for a new office location and secure bus lot from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He is tentatively looking at a lot in Coos Bay on 28th Street. It includes a building that can be used as a garage for minor repairs and cleaning the buses, a small office and employee break room.
"Right now they don't have a place to hang their coat," Bennett said.
The buses could be secured behind a fence, which CCAT would install.
New buses are also on Bennett's mind. The grant application package includes funding for four buses, offering a chance to park some very tired vehicles. Additionally, he'd like grant money to pay for a federally mandated upgrade to the service's two-way communication system.
"When you are not a taxing entity, it's very hard to grow, " he said. "This (federal stimulus money) comes at such a very good time."
Public busing
• What: Coos County Area Transit has applied for a grant to create a second bus route in the Bay Area, which could double its service. Called the Job Access and Reverse Commute grant, offered through the Federal Transit Administration, the grant would pay for half the cost of adding a second loop for at least two years.
• Where: The east and west loops would connect at Pony Village Mall in North Bend. A new route could possibly bring better service to Charleston, Empire and Eastside.
• Cost: This grant is paying only for half of the approximate $65,000 yearly cost for a new loop. CCAT has a potential partner willing to cover the one-half match.
Other grants
• What: CCAT applied for Special Transportation Funds and Public Transit Discretionary grants along with stimulus-funded grants to help pay for operations and maintenance each biennium.
• Amount: About $293,000.
• What: Coos County Area Transit has applied for a grant to create a second bus route in the Bay Area, which could double its service. Called the Job Access and Reverse Commute grant, offered through the Federal Transit Administration, the grant would pay for half the cost of adding a second loop for at least two years.
• Where: The east and west loops would connect at Pony Village Mall in North Bend. A new route could possibly bring better service to Charleston, Empire and Eastside.
• Cost: This grant is paying only for half of the approximate $65,000 yearly cost for a new loop. CCAT has a potential partner willing to cover the one-half match.
Other grants
• What: CCAT applied for Special Transportation Funds and Public Transit Discretionary grants along with stimulus-funded grants to help pay for operations and maintenance each biennium.
• Amount: About $293,000.
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