Contact: Rob Ostrander 202.224.7627 Scott Baker 573.449.5111
Tuesday, May 11, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Kit Bond and Congressman Kenny Hulshof today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) has approved more than $1 million in federal dollars to improve Missouri residents' access to jobs and job training.

"These dollars will make it possible for Missourians across the state to have access to employment," said Bond. "Transportation is one of my top priorities, and I will continue to support investments in Missouri's public transportation system."

"A sound infrastructure is vital to the health of Missouri's economic development. It's important that we provide adequate support for Missouri's transportation needs. I am pleased that we've been able to secure this funding," said Congressman Kenny Hulshof.

The DOT's Federal Transit Administration will send the Missouri Department of Transportation $1,028,939 in federal funds. These dollars will be used for the statewide Job Access and Reverse Commute program, which will help Missourians receive critical access to employment and employment training.

Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the DOT, along with Congressman Kenny Hulshof, secured the these funds in the Omnibus Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2003.

The FTA's Job Access/Reverse Commute program funds projects to connect welfare recipients and other low-income persons to jobs and other support services. Specifically, a Job Access project is one that would transport welfare recipients and eligible low income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. The grant may include capital items or the cost of operating service. A Reverse Commute project is related to the development of transportation services designed to transport residents from urban areas, urbanized areas, and non-urbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities.