“We couldn’t be more pleased to accomplish this major advancement in our CATS service,” said Mayor Kevin S. Smith. “When General Manager Peter Heuer joined the city staff, he was charged with bringing new life to the city’s neglected transit system. Our goal is to provide the best possible transit opportunities to support employment and business needs of Anderson citizens.”
Funding for the fleet overhaul has come from Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds that are managed by the Madison County Council of Governments. A grant for $1,050,000 will pay for the buses.
“Jerry Bridges, executive director of the Madison County Council of Government has been invaluable in securing these funds to benefit the Anderson CATS ridership,” said Mayor Smith. “He saw the environmental and service benefits for Anderson citizens and we were fortunate to comply with the requirements to qualify for the funds.”
In addition to air conditioning and working heaters, the new buses will have bicycle racks and a 4-camera security system for the safety and security of CATS patrons; they will be fully ADA compliant with forward and side seating. The buses will be more fuel efficient and will accept bio-diesel fuel, minimizing tail pipe emissions.
Base bids for the buses were: $865,550, Indy Bus Buy/Sell Net of Indianapolis; $769,510, Midwest Transit Equipment of Whiteland, Indiana; and $674,046, Tesco of Oregon, Ohio. The base bids do not include specific options, so the final purchase price for the buses will be greater than the base bids.
By mid-summer, General Manager Heuer hopes that CATS will be able to unveil and implement new bus routes that will increase efficiency as well as coverage of the city.
By next year, Heuer also hopes that another four Nifty Lift buses, two mechanics trucks and two staff vehicles will be on order, effecting a 100 percent replacement of the CATS fleet.
Technorati Tags: 
