November 21, 2019

Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Sarbanes, Brown, Raskin, Trone Announce more than $11 Million for Metrobus Upgrades

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all-Md.) today announced the award of $11,040,000 for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for Metrobus system improvements from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. 5339). Part of a nearly $14 million statewide investment, this federal funding will support the upgrade of existing farebox equipment with modern, supported technologies throughout the entire fleet. According to WMATA, this technology upgrade will help protect operational reliability while also enabling the introduction of new buses.

“Maintaining a safe and reliable, multi-modal public transit system for the National Capital Region is a critical Maryland priority,” said the lawmakers. “Buses connect commuters and visitors with other transit hubs and often are the most affordable method for students to get to school, employees to get to work and residents to access essential community services. These significant resources will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for thousands of Marylanders.”

Team Maryland has continuously supported the federal commitment for WMATA, which would be reauthorized under this most recent legislation introduced by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen in May of this year.

More details on the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program may be found through DOT here.

Additional grants for Maryland announced Thursday include:

  • $1,651,720 for Baltimore County/Towson
  • $850,000 for the Shore Transit Project (Tri-County Council)/Eastern Shore)
  • $76,500 for St. Mary’s Transit System Project/St. Mary’s County
  • $248,000 for Delmarva Community Services Project/Delmarva 

 

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