Press Release
July 24, 2019

Subject: Mississippi Federal Legislators award $744K grant to CTA

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today announced the award of a $744,000 grant for the Coast Transit Authority to support clean-energy transit service in Gulfport. The Federal Transit Administration competitive grant award is part of the Low and No Emissions program within the U.S. Department of Transportation, which provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses and related facilities.
This $930,000 pure electric, zero emissions, one bus project will be funded 80% with $744,000 federal funds, with 20% local match provided by a contribution of $100,000 by Mississippi Power and $86,000 in CTA funds. The 35’, low floor, Gillig brand bus will operate in fixed route service in downtown Gulfport connecting business and retail with major employment and tourist centers like the new Mississippi Aquarium.

“Pure electric buses are the future of public transportation in the United States and certainly for CTA,” said Kevin Coggin, Executive Director of Coast Transit Authority, “This project puts CTA, and our community on the very cutting edge of the latest electric bus technology.” The electric bus is scheduled for delivery in 2021.
CTA wishes to thank and recognize our federal delegation for working with the U.S. DOT on this award. We wish to thank Mississippi Power for their partnership, without which this project would not be possible.

For more information contact Coast Transit Authority at 896-8080 or visit us at www.coasttransit.com.
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