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FTA 35-03
Contact: Kristi Clemens
Friday, September 26, 2003
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $15 Million for Expanded Bus Service and Transit Enhancements in Four Texas Communities
Houston, Austin, The Woodlands and Lubbock, TX
will benefit from expanded bus service and transit facility enhancements as a
result of five grants totaling $15 million announced today by U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.
“The Bush administration is committed to building a safe, secure and
reliable transportation system that operates efficiently, strengthens the
economy and improves our quality of life,” Secretary Mineta said. “This
investment will allow even more residents in the impacted areas to enjoy the
many benefits of public transportation, including increased community mobility,
reduced traffic congestion and protection of the environment.”
“With over twenty million people, Texas must grapple with unique
transportation demands,” said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Chairman of the
Surface Transportation Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. “I am
pleased new resources are on the way to improve transit services in some of our
fastest-growing communities, and I remain committed to ensuring federal
resources are available to meet this critical need.”
Senator John Cornyn added, “It is important to maximize the benefits and
ensure the safety of a public transit system used by millions of Texans. This
funding will allow for the purchase of additional buses, bus facility upgrades,
and service expansion in the areas that need a strong transit infrastructure the
most. By strengthening our transit resources statewide, we will be able to
respond to the needs of our state’s growing population.”
* A $1.2 million grant to the Brazos Transit District for contracting services
in The Woodlands. The Woodlands Park and Ride Service provides intercity bus
service for residents in Montgomery County to Houston’s Central Business
District, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center. Service originates from
two “park and ride” facilities in The Woodlands.
* A $4.5 million grant to the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
(Houston METRO) for a portion of the agency’s Advanced Transit Program (ATP).
The funds will be used to continue alternatives analysis/draft environmental
impact statements for several corridors including, North-Hardy,
Southeast-Universities-Hobby, Uptown-West Loop, US 90A. METRO’s ATP consists
of three parts: the 7.5-mile METRORail system currently being constructed with
100 percent local funds, including rail cars; planning activities now under
alternatives analysis using New Start funds; and discretionary bus projects such
as “park-and-rides” and new buses. In addition, METRO will receive a $2 million
grant to continue construction of the West Bellfort and Kingsland
“park-and-ride” lots and to add a third “park-and-ride,” Barker Cypress. The
new lots will provide more than 1,500 additional parking spaces.
* A $6.2 million grant to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in
Austin for the purchase of two 40-foot hybrid electric buses for service
expansion; bus fast-fuel systems; transit headquarters security improvements;
and the purchase of a “park-and-ride” site. Capital Metro operates 500 buses in
a 572-mile service area and provides 37 million trips annually.
* A $1.2 million grant to the city of Lubbock for the final phase of a
1,500-space park-and-ride facility on the campus of Texas Tech University. The
“park and ride” project is part of the overall Texas Tech master plan, and the
city of Lubbock and Texas Tech have worked closely on this project. Lubbock
operates the campus bus service under contract to Texas Tech.
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