Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Chemung County Transit System is set to receive $1,290,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funds to support the Transit Vehicle Replacement program. The funds will be used to replace outdated vehicles in the system’s fleet. Gillibrand and Schumer commend DOT for their work to improve transit facilities across the state.
“Safe and reliable buses and transportation are critical to the economic future of Chemung County,” Schumer said. “This investment will improve the daily commutes to and from work, shopping and visiting loved ones for hundreds of residents, who will ride on safer and newer buses each day. I applaud the DOT investment and will continue to push for improvements to the Elmira region’s transit system.”
“This is an important investment for Elmira and the local economy,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal funds will help upgrade the conditions for bus travel in Elmira, providing better service and ensuring the safety of commuters and local residents. I will keep fighting to secure the resources for New York’s transit services.”
The funding for Chemung County to replace outdated buses was selected on a competitive basis through the DOT’s FY2011 State of Good Repair Program.
The Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair program is administered through the Federal Transit Administration. This program aims to maintain the nation’s bus and rail systems in a State of Good Repair (SGR), which is essential if public transportation systems are to provide safe and reliable service to millions of daily riders. State of Good Repair includes sharing ideas on recapitalization and maintenance issues, asset management practices, and innovative financing strategies. It also includes issues related to measuring the condition of transit capital assets, prioritizing local transit re-investment decisions and preventive maintenance practices. Finally, research and the identification of the tools needed to address this problem are vital. The FTA will lead the nation’s effort to address the State of Good Repair by collaborating with industry to bring the nation’s transit infrastructure into the 21st Century.