Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, August 30, 2002

KANSAS CITY, MO - Senator Kit Bond today announced that he has secured $3.75 million in a Senate spending bill for Kansas City’s bus and public transportation needs.

Bond secured the funding in the fiscal year 2003 Senate Transportation Appropriations bill, which has been approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee. While the bill must still be approved by the full Senate, Bond expressed confidence the money for Kansas City’s buses will eventually be signed into law.

"We still have a ways to go in the appropriations process, but it looks like this money will be heading to Kansas City," said Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bond made his remarks during an inspection of some of the new buses purchased with federal funds he secured in previous years. "I am fighting for this money because I know how important a modern transportation system is to Kansas City’s economy. It’s a great investment in our future."

The $3.75 million that Bond announced today is contained in the spending bill that will help fund the federal government during the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2002. The money adds to the more than $20 million in federal funds that Bond has secured for Kansas City buses, equipment and public transit infrastructure in the previous five years. It underscores Bond’s continued commitment to Kansas City and local residents who depend upon public transportation.

"More modern and efficient buses helps fight traffic congestion while also helping the environment, by taking more cars off the road," said Bond, who also helped win approval for the use biodiesel fuel in new buses. In addition to the positive economic impacts felt in the farming community, this expanded use of the soybean based alternative fuel will benefit the environment by reducing emissions and improving the air quality of Kansas City.

Kit Bond is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Also, he is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.