WASHINGTON - US Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced more than $144 million in federal Sandy relief has been awarded to NJ Transit to help the agency cover the costs of equipment repairs and temporary bus and ferry service provided in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

"We know how NJ Transit and other transportation systems were profoundly affected by Superstorm Sandy. This funding will allow NJ Transit to pay for some of the costs related to responding to the storm's immediate impact," said Senator Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. "But as we continue working toward New Jersey's long-term recovery, we are reminded that it is not enough to simply rebuild what was lost. We need to build better, stronger and smarter so that we can be prepared to protect our transportation resources during future severe weather events, and get New Jersey moving as quickly as possible after they pass. I am committed to continuing the fight for the federal funding New Jersey needs to come back better and stronger than we were before the storm."

"This federal funding is an important step toward ensuring that New Jersey Transit has the resources to repair damage, recover costs and rebuild stronger than ever," said Sen. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the Sandy relief legislation. "Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey's transit systems, which serve commuters from across the State and region. Because transit is critical to the entire region's economy, this funding is essential to a full recovery. We will continue working hard to ensure that aid gets to New Jersey so we can keep making needed investments for our commuters."

A total of $144,416,559 was awarded to NJ Transit through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.

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