Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded New Jersey $22,995,200 in federal funding to upgrade the state's bus system fleets with compressed natural gas buses and construct a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient LEED certified bus wash facility in Cape May County. The resources were awarded on a competitive basis through the agency's new initiative "State of Good Repair Program" that was announced earlier this year. The "State of Good Repair Program" is a new initiative created in response to the findings of "The National State of Good Repair Assessment Study" to strengthen and modernize the nation's transportation system.
"This is an investment in a modern, greener and less costly public transportation system from New Jersey's commuters.," said Menendez. "By investing in clean-energy transportation we can save commuters time and money, reduce the number of cars on the road, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and spur economic growth."
"This critical federal funding will help provide NJ Transit with more energy efficient vehicles that will cut down on harmful pollution and reduce the number of cars on New Jersey's roadways," said Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "These kinds of transportation projects will improve our neighborhoods, our roadways and our air quality."
The FTA "State of Good Repair Program" grants were awarded in New Jersey for the following projects:
• $22 million for the purchase of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for replacement of bus fleets through the state.
• $995,200 for the construction of a state of the art LEED certified bus vehicles wash facility in Cape May County that will comply with New Jersey's municipal storm regulation to prevent water pollution. The washing facility will also extend the life of the County's buses by minimizing corrosion and rust that occur as a result of being near the ocean.
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