Bloomington, IL—Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) joined Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) K. Jane Williams and General Manager of Connect Transit Isaac Thorne today to recognize grant funding awarded to Connect Transit by the FTA. Both Congressman LaHood and Congressman Davis advocated strongly on behalf of Connect Transit to see this funding awarded.
In September, the FTA announced a $6 million grant award to Connect Transit through the Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Grant Program. With the money provided from the FTA, Connect Transit will be able to invest in ten new buses with improved technology, ensuring their top-notch service to the Bloomington-Normal community remains.
“Strategic infrastructure investment is critical to ensuring our transportation system is reliable, efficient, and safe for our community, and that is exactly what this grant award will do for the Bloomington-Normal community. The new buses acquired by Connect Transit from this grant have allowed Connect to provide exceptional and affordable service for years to come,” stated Rep. LaHood. “I was pleased to strongly advocate alongside my colleague Rep. Rodney Davis on behalf of Connect Transit to the Acting Administrator and will continue to lend my support for projects that support infrastructure improvements in our community.”
“Investing in our smaller, public transit systems means investing in jobs and economic growth, while also ensuring access to safe and affordable transportation for riders," Davis said. "I'm proud to have the Acting Administrator here in central Illinois to see firsthand the difference the bus grant will make in the community. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to be an advocate for our smaller transit systems that are critical to the communities they serve."
“Under Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s leadership, FTA is proud to support improved bus service for the thousands of riders in Bloomington who take the bus to work, school, and other destinations,” said Acting Administrator Williams.
“Very thankful to Congressman LaHood and Congressman Davis for attending this event to highlight the federal bus grant awards. The federal bus grant is so important to transit agencies like Connect Transit to continue operating needed bus service in our community," said Isaac Thorne.
In July, Rep. LaHood sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in support of Connect Transit’s grant application. You can read that letter here.
