SCHUMER PUSHES TO SECURE $4 MILLION IN FED FUNDS FOR BROOME COUNTY TO PURCHASE 10 NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY- FRIENDLY PUBLIC BUSES, MODERNIZE AGING FLEET – MANY COUNTY BUSES ARE PAST USEFUL LIFESPAN & NEW BUSES WILL HELP LIMIT SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

Schumer Pushes To Secure Fed Funding To Add 10 New Clean Diesel Buses To Fleet – Funding Would Also Enable City To Install 9 New Bicycle Shelters, Making It Easier For Residents to Bike To And From Work

Schumer: New Buses For Broome County Will Alleviate Pressures On System & Help Local Economy

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced he is pushing the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) to award Broome County over $4 million to purchase ten new, clean diesel buses and install nine new bicycle shelters throughout the county. Schumer said that this funding is critical for Broome County because its public bus system is aging, with many of the buses having gone past their useful lifespan. In addition, Schumer noted that the buses currently in service do not have modern, environmentally-friendly amenities, but the new buses would run on cleaner diesel fuel. This funding would help Broome County limit any potential system delays or interruptions that could be caused by an aging fleet, and cut down on the amount of pollution its current buses generate. Schumer noted that Broome County Transit (BC Transit) transports thousands of people per day, including many Binghamton University and SUNY Broome students, and keeping the system in top shape is important for local residents and the economy. Schumer said that the new bicycle shelters would also help improve Broome County’s transportation network and air quality.

“Public buses are a critical lifeline for thousands of Broome County residents who rely on the system to get to and from work or school, or into town to go shopping, and it is important to make sure we are doing everything in our power to keep the system in tip-top shape,” said Schumer. “As buses age, delays and breakdowns become more common, and this federal funding will help Broome County update its fleet and avoid potential service interruptions. In addition, not only would these new buses improve the system, but they would also help the environment by using cleaner diesel fuel. This funding would provide a great boost to Broome County’s entire public transportation network and I am urging Secretary Foxx to select the county for funding.”

“B.C. Transit is one of the main sources of transportation for many in our community,” says Broome County Executive Debbie Preston. “This grant will help us to modernize our aging fleet while enhancing service for our riders and we thank Senator Schumer for his help in this project.”

Schumer is seeking to secure this funding for Broome County through the FTA’s Ladders of Opportunity Initiative, which provides federal funding to localities to help them modernize and expand local bus service in order to better connect disadvantaged veterans, seniors and youths with local workforce training, employment centers, health care, and other vital services. Schumer noted that Broome County is an excellent candidate for this funding since its bus system is the largest in the Southern Tier and provides a critical link to countless economic opportunities, including many educational and training centers, as well as potential employers.

Schumer wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in support of Broome County’s application for this funding. A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter is included below:

Dear Secretary Foxx:

I am pleased to write in support of Broome County Office of Energy Development’s application under the Federal Transportation Administration’s Ladders of Opportunity Initiative. 

With around 200,000 residents, Broome County is the largest county in New York’s Southern Tier.  It is home to two schools within the State University of New York (SUNY) system: Binghamton University and SUNY Broome. The students and local residents rely on the bus system and other public infrastructure to get to vital services such as healthcare and shopping needs.  Additionally, Broome’s transit system provides countless economic opportunities as it is the gateway to educational and training centers and potential employers for many of the County’s low income and disadvantaged individuals.

This funding will enable Broome County to improve service to its residents with the purchase of 10 new clean diesel buses and the installation of 9 new bike shelters.  As many residents depend on public transportation, improving transit in the county would mean continuity for economic development. Not only are many of the current buses beyond their useful life, they are also pre-compliance diesel powered.  The funding for these buses and bike shelters will not only increase the county’s already exceptional service to its residents, it will do so in an environmentally friendly manner.  I applaud Broome County in its foresight and hope this application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my grants director.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer

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