The city of Wichita will be getting new trolley buses soon.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Wichita Transit a $2.6 million grant to replace older Q-Line trolley buses that are at the end of their service life.
The new trolleys will help the city keep up with a growing number of riders and increased service.
A transit sustainability report released last fall showed ridership on the trolley increased from 1,100 riders each month to nearly 11,000 in July and August.
Wichita expanded its Q-Line trolley service nearly a year ago by adding new routes and longer hours.
The Q-Line is free. It connects downtown Wichita with the Delano and College Hill neighborhoods.
The Q-Line also offered expanded service during last month’s NCAA basketball tournament activities.
The trolleys operate from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturdays, with service every 10 minutes. The Q also has two lunch routes on weekdays.
Wichita was one of 139 projects in 52 states and territories that will receive funding from the FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program.
The grants will fund projects to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate and construct bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and maintenance.
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