Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Peoria will receive more than $200,000 in grant funds for two Dial-a-Ride buses and maintenance expenses.
The city provides American with Disabilities Act and paratransit service through the Dial-a-Ride program. The Peoria City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Phoenix, to receive federal funds in the amount of $39,138 for Dial-a-Ride vehicle maintenance expenses and $164,478 for two replacement Dial-a-Ride buses through a Federal Transit Authority grant.
Transit Manager Cathy Colbath said the buses are being purchased as replacements for existing Dial-a-Ride buses that are nearing their end of use.
“The grant provides federal funds for 85% of the cost of the vehicles. The remaining 15% of the cost will be paid with funds from the regional transportation program. No city funds are needed for this purchase,” she said.
Peoria is eligible to receive reimbursement from the Federal Transit Administration grant program by way of a pass through agreement with the city of Phoenix, which is the regional recipient for grant funds and has received an FTA grant that allocates federal funds to Peoria projects. The FTA grant has two components. The first is the partial reimbursement of maintenance costs for Dial-a-Ride vehicles for preventive maintenance expenses.
This federal grant provides $39,138 for reimbursement of maintenance costs and requires a 20% local match of $9,785 which is included in the fiscal year 2020 transit budget.
The second component provides funding for new Dial-a-Ride buses to replace two existing buses. The grant provides $164,478 in federal funds for the purchase of two replacement Dial-a-Ride buses. This portion of the grant requires a 15% match of $29,026, which is funded through an existing agreement with Valley Metro for regional funds for bus purchases. The two new vehicles are requested in the fiscal year 2021 budget. The federal and regional funds would reimburse the city for the vehicle purchases.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697, phaldiman@newszap.com, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman.
Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts.
He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than 15 years worth of experience in reporting and editing.
Most recently, he took first place for investigative reporting and third place for best sustained coverage or series at the 2023 Arizona Newspapers Association awards.
In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
By 
