U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Monday that Suffolk County, N.Y., and the New York City Department of Transportation will receive more than $11.6 million in federal funding for their bus systems.
The money, provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, will be available for the bus systems in New York City and Long Island to purchase new buses, rehabilitate worn-out equipment and construct new busing facilities.
“In order to recover and rebuild our communities from this health and economic crisis, we must continue to invest in safe and reliable public transportation,” Schumer said. “Across Suffolk County and New York City, the bus systems provide essential workers, families, students, and others with the necessary transportation resources. Without vibrant transportation systems, our communities would grind to a halt.”
The grant program awarded $1.6 million to Suffolk County and $10 million to the New York City Department of Transportation. The funds will be used for revitalization projects and new buses and equipment for transportation facilities in New York City and Long Island.
“Now more than ever, we must ensure New Yorkers have access to reliable and clean public transportation,” Gillibrand said. “Workers, students, and travelers across New York State rely on buses every day, and we must ensure that our transit providers have the resources needed to make capital investments and continue to operate smoothly.”