The following information was released by Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka:
Hawaii will receive $14,980,000 to buy new buses and maintain existing fleets on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.
The money comes from the State of Good Repair (SGR) Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration.
The State of Good Repair program funds initiatives focused on preventative vehicle maintenance, purchasing, recapitalization, maintenance issues, asset management practices, and innovative financing strategies.
Honolulu will receive $12 million, Maui will receive $1,780,000 and Hawaii will receive $1,200,000.
"Maintaining safe and reliable public transportation for our residents and visitors is one of the key responsibilities of government. People rely on our bus systems to get to and from work, school, community activities and other destinations in a timely manner. We must continue to ensure our bus fleets are properly maintained, and I am grateful to the administration for the investment in our public transportation system," said Senator Inouye.
"As drivers on Oahu continue to face some of the worse congestion in the nation and traffic builds on the neighbor islands, I am pleased that these funds will be used to keep our bus systems in good operating condition," said Senator Akaka. "Buses serve our island communities, reduce emissions, and help keep Hawaii the paradise it is."
"This funding will go a long way toward supporting the needs of our commuters across the state, especially in the rural areas of the Second Congressional District. The three counties will be able to purchase new buses to meet the high demand of ridership as well as replace their aging bus fleets with this investment. This is exactly the kind of support our families need to combat high gas prices," said Congresswoman Hirono, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
"I am very pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded these funds to replace and repair vehicles that may diminish the quality of public transportation in Hawaii. Our bus system provides our residents and visitors with a safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation option, and continued investment in its upkeep is critical," said Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.
