A $1.8 millon grant is heading MVTA's way

It's been a long wait, but the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority learned Thursday that it will receive $1.8 million to equip additional buses with a GPS-based technology designed to enhance bus safety.

The agency was one of 13 across the country that will share a portion of $29 million in technology grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to promote transit safety and emergency response.

MVTA had been waiting to hear about the status of its application which it turned in December 2013. That is when the FTA announced the grants. This was the first time MVTA had applied for a federal grant, said MVTA spokeswoman Robin Selvig.

"It's very exciting," she said.

The FTA had received 72 proposals from transportation agencies, state and local governments, and private and nonprofit organizations requesting more than $160 million.

Selvig said MVTA plans to use the money to add the Driver Assist System to about 12 of its buses. The technology will provide lane keeping information, lane departure warnings, and collision avoidance advisories to bus operators in various weather and road conditions.

Currently 10 buses in MVTA's fleet, including the seven buses used on the Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit line, have the technology.

The MVTA provides service in Rosemount, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Savage, Eagan, Shakopee and Prior Lake