WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced New Mexico communities are set to benefit from over $27 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for public transit.
"An increasing number of New Mexicans are relying on public transportation to get around, especially during these hard economic times," Bingaman said. "The funding released today will help communities buy buses or other transit equipment to help meet their growing need for public transportation."
"As New Mexico families feel the strain of shrinking budgets and fluctuating energy prices, our need for public transportation increases," said Udall. "By wisely investing this $27 million in recovery funds, we can provide New Mexicans with affordable transportation and create jobs in our state."
A total of $12 million will be directed to the state of New Mexico. That funding will be made available on a competitive basis through the New Mexico Department of Transportation to communities throughout the state with fewer than 50,000 in population. Funding can be used to purchase transit buses or vans, facilities, signs, bus stop shelters, or other equipment.
An additional $15 million is set aside for four New Mexico communities. These communities must apply to the Federal Transit Administration to receive the funding. Below is a list of the communities and the funding they are eligible for:
· Albuquerque Ride Transit $11.3 million,
· Las Cruces Roadrunner Transit $1.7 million
· Santa Fe Trails $1.3 million
· Farmington Red Apple $790,000
