About The Federal Transit Administration’s Altoona Testing Program

Located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the FTA New Model Bus Testing Program is designed to promote production of better transit vehicles and components and to ensure that transit customers purchase safe vehicles able to withstand the rigors of transit service. The Bus Testing Program of the Federal Transit Administration was established in response to the requirements of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act (STURAA) of 1987. Under the program, testing is required on all new model buses before they can be purchased with federal funds.

The Altoona Bus Testing Center was established in 1989 by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI) with funding provided by FTA. The Testing Program is administered by the Vehicle Systems and Safety Program at the Altoona Bus Testing Center, and PTI in State College. The testing center program provides bus manufacturers and transit agencies invaluable information that is used to improve quality and safety of transit buses.

Currently, the Center tests buses for safety, structural integrity, performance, maintainability, reliability, noise, and fuel economy.

Learn more about the FTA & the Altoona Testing Program by visiting: http://www.fta.dot.gov/