Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) is set to receive $352,140 in funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) FY 2011 Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program for the purchase of energy efficient heating and ice control systems. Specifically, RGRTA will use this investment for several energy-saving measures, including the replacement of two 35-year-old boilers in its operations building with multiple condensing-type boilers and the replacement of old heaters in its service building with high-efficiency gas-fired condensing units. The investment will also allow for the installation of temperature and carbon monoxide sensors and controllers in its operations and service buildings, and the installation of a pavement ice control system for a concrete bus driveway to manage freezing pavement during cold months. Schumer and Gillibrand commend DOT for their work to improve transit operations across the state.
“Winter is fast approaching the Rochester Finger-Lakes region, and our public transit system must be prepared to handle the harsh weather conditions ahead,” said Schumer. “I applaud the Department of Transportation for choosing the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority to receive this investment, as it will allow Rochester-Finger Lakes area residents to rest assured that their public transportation will be safe and reliable during the winter months.”
“This is an important investment for the Rochester-Finger Lakes region,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This investment will help make RGRTA more energy efficient, cut energy costs, saving local taxpayers money, while improving transportation services for local residents. I will keep working to secure the federal resources we need to improve our transportation services.”
The TIGGER Program works directly with public transportation agencies to implement new strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or reduce energy use within transit operations. These strategies can be implemented through operational or technological enhancements or innovations. To align the TIGGER Program with other strategic initiatives, FTA encourages project implementation that will enhance operational efficiencies, demonstrate innovative electric drive strategies, and create an environment prioritizing public transportation through intelligent transportation systems (ITS) or other related technology approaches to achieve efficiency and sustainability goals.
Initiated within the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the TIGGER Program has been continued in fiscal year (FY) 2011 through The Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Pub. L. 112-10). $49.9 million was appropriated for grants to public transit agencies for capital investments that will reduce the energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions of their public transportation systems across the United States.