July 22, 2012

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority

Funding Will Enable KRT to Upgrade Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Joe Manchin today announced $2 million in federal funding for the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KRT) so they can retire outdated vehicles and upgrade their fleet.

“Every day public buses carry people to where they need to go throughout the region, and it is essential that these vehicles are updated, safe, and efficient.  This funding will help upgrade and replace vehicles, and keep passengers moving,” said Rockefeller.  “KRT provides vital transportation for so many in the Kanawha Valley and is a lifeline for its passengers.  By making sure our public transit system gets the improvements it needs, we are also investing in our communities.”

"So many West Virginians depend on public transportation to live their daily lives, travel to and from work, feed their families, and take care of their health care needs," Senator Manchin said. "I am glad that these funds will replace older, and potentially unsafe, vehicles so that the people can depend on expedient and safe public transportation across our state."

The federal funding was made available through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2012 State of Good Repair Grant Program.  A completed grant application must be submitted through the FTA Regional office before funds can be released.

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