KRT Receives Historic $21 Million Federal Investment to Modernize Maintenance Facility

The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) has been awarded $21 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, the largest federal investment in the Authority’s history. This funding will support the construction of a new, modern maintenance facility designed to enhance public transportation infrastructure across Kanawha County.

“This grant is a transformative step for KRT and the entire Kanawha Valley,” said Sean Hill, KRT Executive Director. “This investment allows us to build a facility that meets the needs of today’s riders while preparing for the future of public transit in our region. We’re excited for what this means for our employees, our community, and the thousands of people who rely on KRT every day.”

The new facility will replace the current aging maintenance garage and provide a modern, secure, and purpose-built space for KRT’s maintenance operations. Key features include:

• State-of-the-art maintenance bays, body shop, paint booth, and wash bay prepared for diesel, hydrogen, and battery-electric vehicles.
• Streamlined operations, reducing downtime and keeping more buses on the road.
• Enhanced employee amenities and safer workflow
• Secured and efficient site layout, centralizing bus parking, fueling, and maintenance while improving operational safety.

The project is supported by federal, state, and local partners, including U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator Jim Justice, Congresswoman Carol Miller, former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, the Kanawha County Commission, and countless other community partners.

Construction will be carried out in phases to maintain uninterrupted service. Once complete, the facility will allow KRT to better serve riders, support a modern fleet, and provide safe, efficient operations for years to come.