AC Transit Awarded More Than $6.6 Million in Dept. of Transportation Funding

News Articles
10/19/2011

AC Transit has been awarded $6,677,074 in Department of Transportation funds to help upgrade facilities and equipment.  The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s “State of Good Repair” program, which seeks to ensure the continued safety and integrity of America’s bus and rail systems through projects to maintain infrastructure, manage information and innovatively finance public transportation systems.

 AC Transit Interim General Manager Mary King called the grant “extremely good news,” particularly at a time when funding for public transit is so difficult to obtain.

 “This grant will allow us to make some critical capital improvements and repairs,” King said.  “We will now be able to replace elevators, upgrade our facilities to meet environmental standards, and develop an asset management database to more effectively track the condition of the agency’s facilities and equipment. This reduces the need for costly emergency repairs and major rehabilitation, and minimizes the drain on our operating budget which helps to ensure more bus services for the public.” 

 King also thanked Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who was equally gratified after helping to secure the funding for the agency.

 “This grant award is wonderful news for my constituents and for all of those that rely on AC Transit for its vital services,” said Lee.  “I’m pleased that AC Transit will receive these critical funds to make necessary upgrades that will ensure its environmental sustainability and advance its technological capabilities.  I strongly support continued and robust investment in public transportation systems like AC Transit that provide sustainable and affordable transportation services, and are often the sole form of transit for low-income communities.”