A new public transit center is officially coming to South Whidbey, funded by a multi-million dollar federal grant.

The Federal Transit Administration announced Monday morning that the state Department of Transportation was awarded a $7,526,400 bus and bus facilities grant on behalf of Island Transit, with funds coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021.

The grant will fund the design and construction of the South Whidbey Island Transit Center, a facility that is meant to serve as a hub for transportation and expand access to mobility in an equitable manner, according to Island Transit Communications Officer Selene Muldowney-Stratton.

Muldowney-Stratton said the center will improve connectivity with other regional transit agencies, such as Skagit Transit, Community Transit and Washington State Ferries, making it easier for commuters or tourists to travel between the mainland and the island.

Island Transit has not yet finalized a location for the center, but Muldowney-Stratton said it is expected to have six bus bays and electric vehicle charging stations for Island Transit’s rideshare and on-demand service vehicles.

The facility will also have a park and ride where drivers can park and safely transition to a bus for the remainder of their trip. Muldowney-Stratton said construction of the South Whidbey Island Transit Center is expected to be completed by 2026.

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon expressed her excitement over the forthcoming facility.

“The new facility will allow Island Transit to expand services on the South End, including specialty services like on-demand and tourist-focused routes, will give us more options as we move to a zero-emissions fleet and will give bus riders a new place to park their own vehicles when they catch their bus,” she said.

Rep. Rick Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, helped secure the funds for Island Transit.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering cleaner and greener bus service to Northwest Washington,” he said. “Thanks to this historic funding, the State of Washington and local transit agencies in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties will be able to keep people moving while reducing maintenance costs, lowering energy consumption and pulling carbon pollution out of public transportation.”

Whatcom Transportation Authority and Skagit Transit also received grants of $9.6 million and $5 million, respectively, under the the Low or No Emission Vehicle initiative, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Through 2026, the law invests $5.5 billion in the initiative, including nearly $1.7 billion in grants to 125 communities nationwide for cleaner transit infrastructure projects.