Lafayette Transit Secures $3M in Federal Funding
LAFAYETTE TRANSIT SYSTEM SECURES NEARLY $3 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE FEDERAL TRANSIT FUNDING TO MODERNIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
LAFAYETTE, La. – Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) through the Lafayette Transit System (LTS) has secured $2,985,000 in competitive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grant funding to replace aging buses, modernize maintenance infrastructure, and continue improving public transportation services throughout Lafayette Parish.
Administered through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the awards represent one of the most significant competitive transit funding successes in Lafayette Transit System's history. The grants were awarded through the reallocation of unused federal transit funds, with Lafayette selected as one of only a handful of transit systems statewide to receive funding.
"Reliable public transportation strengthens our workforce, supports economic opportunity, and connects residents to the services they depend on every day," said Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet. "These competitive federal investments allow Lafayette to continue modernizing our transit system while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. By investing in safer buses and more efficient maintenance facilities today, we are building a stronger, more reliable transit system for the future."
Competitive Grant Awards
Lafayette Transit System received $1,785,000 through the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Rural Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program. These funds were competitively awarded from unused federal transit funding that became available for redistribution across Louisiana. Lafayette was one of only three transit agencies statewide—along with Baton Rouge and New Orleans—to receive funding from approximately $4 million available through this competitive process.
LTS also received $1,200,000 through the FTA Section 5307 Small Urban Areas Program using lapsing Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 federal transit funds. Lafayette was one of only three transit systems statewide—along with Monroe and Alexandria—to receive funding from approximately $4.8 million available through this redistribution.
Combined with the required local match, the projects represent a significant investment in Lafayette's public transportation infrastructure.
Investing in Modern Transit Infrastructure
The federal funding will support several critical capital improvements, including:
- Replacement of aging transit buses that have exceeded their useful service life.
- Upgrades to the compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facility.
- Installation of heavy-duty vehicle maintenance lifts.
- Modernization of the diesel fuel dispensing system.
These improvements will increase fleet reliability, improve preventive maintenance capabilities, reduce downtime, enhance passenger safety and comfort, and lower long-term operating costs.
Continued Fleet Modernization
The grant awards complement Lafayette Transit System's ongoing fleet modernization initiative.
As Phase II of its fleet replacement program, LTS is placing five new 35-foot Gillig, low-floor transit buses into service. Three buses are utilized for LTS routes and two buses are leased to UL Lafayette. The new buses feature several enhancements designed to improve safety, accessibility, passenger comfort, and overall service quality, including:
- Digital passenger information displays with real-time route information
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Nine-camera onboard video-surveillance system
- Rear backup camera with color display
- Advanced visibility and driver assistance technologies including a mirrorless video-mirror system
- Priority ADA seating along with audio and visual stop-request notification system
Phase III, consisting of five additional buses, is anticipated for delivery in early 2027.
Upon completion, Lafayette Transit System will have added 14 new transit buses representing approximately $9.6 million in fleet modernization investments. Together with these new grant awards, LCG has invested approximately $12 million in federal and local funding over the past three years to strengthen Lafayette's public transportation system.
"The Lafayette Transit System is experiencing one of the most significant periods of investment in its history," said Michael Mitchell, Transit and Parking Manager for Lafayette Transit System. "These competitive grant awards allow us to replace aging equipment, modernize our maintenance operations, and continue providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for our community. Every investment we make today improves the customer experience while positioning our transit system to serve Lafayette for decades to come."
The investments reflect LCG's continued commitment to maintaining a modern, efficient, and sustainable public transportation system that supports residents, businesses, visitors, and the continued growth of Lafayette Parish.
For more information about LTS and to view the transit bus tracker, visit ridelts.com
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