U.S. Rep. McGovern, U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown Announce $4.4 Million for WRTA "Green Fleet" Bus Project

The U.S. DOT has awarded $4.4M to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority for WRTA's "Green Fleet" bus procurement project.

Washington, DC, September 12, 2012
The U.S. DOT has awarded $4.4M to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority for WRTA's "Green Fleet" bus procurement project.

For Immediate Release: Contact: Michael Mershon

September 11, 2012 (202) 225-6101

U.S. REP. JIM MCGOVERN, U.S. SENS. JOHN KERRY AND SCOTT BROWN ANNOUNCE $4.4 MILLION FOR WRTA -GREEN FLEET- BUS PROJECT

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (MA-03), U.S. Senator John Kerry and U.S. Senator Scott Brown today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $4,464,000 to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) for WRTA's -Green Fleet- bus procurement project.

Rep. McGovern was a strong supporter of the grant application.

WRTA's current fleet includes clean diesel and hybrid diesel buses, and they will use the funding announced today to replace three diesel transit buses with the zero-emission all-electric transit buses. In addition to eliminating 53 tons of harmful emissions per year, these new buses will result in significant reductions in petroleum fuel consumption (more than 23,000 gallons annually) and operating costs (nearly $500,000 per bus over 12 years).

-I am very pleased that the Department of Transportation is awarding this significant federal funding to WRTA,- Rep. McGovern said. -With these new buses, WRTA will serve as a national model for clean transit. I commend WRTA for their strong commitment to clean transit technology and the Federal Transit Administration for funding this project. I look forward to seeing these buses on the streets of our community.-

-Lots of folks in Worcester rely heavily on public transportation to do everything from get to work to go to the doctor and their commutes should be safe and economical,- Sen. Kerry said. -With budgets squeezed to the limit, this investment will help Massachusetts stay one step ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to clean energy.-

-Funding for new and reliable buses for the ‘Green Fleet' is great news for those who utilize public transportation in Worcester,- Sen. Brown said. -The long term fuel savings will bring some relief to the local budget and help keep our air clean.-

-The WRTA is absolutely thrilled to introduce this clean fuel technology to its fleet and for its passengers,- said WRTA Administrator Stephen O'Neil. -The fuel savings, reduction in CO2 emissions, and the reduction in operating costs over the useful life of these buses is extraordinary. The addition of this grant is yet another example of the WRTA moving forward in a positive direction.-

The project will also include the installation of one Fast-Charge station at WRTA's Union Station Transfer Center and one -shop charger- at the new Maintenance and Operations facility.

WRTA is the second largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts. In 2011, WRTA provided 3,450,993 passenger trips.