LAUTENBERG, MENENDEZ ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2.9 MILLION FOR SOUTH JERSEY BUS IMPROVEMENTS

LAUTENBERG, MENENDEZ ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2.9 MILLION FOR SOUTH JERSEY BUS IMPROVEMENTS
Grants Will Help Burlington County, Lakewood, Atlantic City to Purchase New Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded New Jersey Transit nearly $3 million in federal funds to improve bus service in the southern part of the state.  NJ Transit will use the funds to purchase new buses in Burlington County, Lakewood and Atlantic City.

“Putting these new buses in service gives commuters options, helps keep cars off the road and reduces our reliance on foreign oil,” Sen. Lautenberg said.  “Our communities need to continue to provide accessible and dependable mass transit options for residents, and these grants help achieve that goal.”

Sen. Menendez said, “With oil prices sky-high, we need to do all we can to promote mass transit and end our dependence on foreign oil.  Making this investment will help give New Jerseyans reliable, money-saving transportation options.”

NJ Transit will receive three separate grants totaling $2,984,481 for the new bus purchases:

* Burlington County will receive $1,563,989 to purchase 24 new buses for the Burlington County Transportation Service (BCTS) and BurLink service.  In 2006, BCTS, which is the main source of transportation for the county’s seniors and disabled residents, carried more than 90,000 passengers;

* Lakewood will receive $1,172,992 to purchase up to nine new buses that will carry approximately 1,600 passengers a week; and

* Atlantic City will receive $247,500 to purchase two diesel-powered, 25-passenger buses for the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC).  The new buses will operate seven days a week and run between the Pleasantville Bus Terminal, the Atlantic City Marina area and ARMC.

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