LANSING, Mich., March 18, 2022 — Last week, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $409 million in grants to help modernize and improve the country’s bus systems. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) secured two grants totaling over $13.5 million aimed at purchasing and rehabilitating rural transit agencies across the state. In response to this announcement, state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) issued the following statement:
“Expanding access to safe, reliable public transportation in our rural communities is a crucial investment for Michigan’s working families. Many people, not just those in our cities, rely on some form of public transportation to get to their jobs and access vital services. Years of underfunding have left our public transportation systems unable to meet the needs of residents. As the Democratic vice chair of the Michigan House Transportation Subcommittee, I see how critical it is for us to modernize our buses and facilities with cleaner infrastructure that is more efficient, easier to maintain and reduces pollution. I’m grateful for Secretary Buttigieg and President Biden’s leadership and commitment to improving transportation while addressing the climate crisis at the same time.”
MDOT will receive funding to purchase transit vehicles to replace aging vehicles and expand their fleets, resulting in enhanced safety and service reliability for riders.
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