Explore Big Sky: Bozeman’s Streamline Bus Earns Federal Transportation Grant

Bozeman’s Human Resource Development Council is one of 47 agencies nationwide recently selected for special funding from the Federal Transit Administration. 

The HRDC of Bozeman received a federal grant of $451,500 through the FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Program. The grant will be used to improve Bozeman’s Streamline Bus, the city’s primary public transportation network. 

“In Bozeman, there are multiple areas that are defined as Areas of Persistent Poverty. Community members in these low-income areas often face challenges in accessing affordable and reliable transportation,” stated Sunshine Ross, Bozeman HRDC transportation director, in a July 26 press release. 

The HRDC is Montana’s first-ever recipient of a special grant from the FTA, the release states. The state requested funds on behalf of Bozeman HRDC. The FTA had $20 million in available grant money but faced requests totaling $36 million across the country, according to Ross.

As for the grant’s practical use, the release stated: “HRDC will use the $451,500 in awarded funds to develop a long-term financing plan for Streamline and to conduct a comprehensive route planning analysis. The route planning analysis will integrate climate change, racial equity, and environmental justice considerations into the design of future public transit routes in Bozeman.” 

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