WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (R-7th District) announced today that Putnam County Ride Solutions will receive $ 742,500 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, for the development of locally engineered Brevi Buses.  These specially modified vehicles will be able to access Putnam County’s rural roads.
“Putnam County has the unique challenge of providing mass transit to rural areas”, said Rep. Mica.  “I am pleased that Putnam’s transportation program will now be able to move forward with a locally developed solution to meet this challenge.  People in rural areas without cars will now be able to have access to transportation.”
In past years, Rep. Mica assisted Putnam County in obtaining federal assistance to purchase new buses.  However, Putnam County Ride Solutions found that commercially available transit options did not meet their rural needs.
To resolve this problem, the County requested that the funding be used for the development and purchase of locally engineered Brevi Buses.  These new shorter and more maneuverable low-floor buses will be better able to service Putnam’s paved and unpaved areas.  The concept vehicles are expected to be produced locally and other rural districts have already expressed interest in the new buses.