A new federal grant will allow C-TRAN to purchase ten new hybrid buses, ultimately saving the agency in fuel costs and maintenance.
The $6 million federal Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant was announced in a joint press release on Wednesday by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Camas).
“Washington State’s Congressional delegation was instrumental in passing new transportation funding this year and Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and Senator Patty Murray’s leadership to increase funding for the bus and bus facilities program certainly aided further in making this grant award possible,” said Jeff Hamm, C-TRAN’s executive director & CEO.
According to the release, two additional grants (totaling $832,000 and $2.78 mill) will go to RiverCities Transit, which serves Longview and Kelso. Those funds will be used to purchase two new biodiesel buses and to expand the Downtown Longview Transit Center.
“It is great to see Clark County and the city of Longview receive grant funds to improve service for bus riders in Longview and throughout Clark County,” said Herrera Beutler.
“Our communities rely upon safe, reliable public transportation systems, and as ridership continues to increase and technology improves our transportation options, it is critical we fight to invest in aging transit systems,” added Murray. “I am so glad to see the City of Longview and Clark County receive recognition for their strong transit plans and receive these federal investments to lessen the environmental impact, ease congestion and support Southwest Washington’s continued growth.”
