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For Immediate Release
 
July 31, 2007
Houston light rail sees federal funds for the first time
Houston, TX - Houston’s light rail system has finally won federal funding after years of seeing money flow to smaller cities. In the transportation appropriations bill for FY 2008, which passed by a vote of 268 to 153 in the House of Representatives, $10 million has been designated for Metro Phase II.

 

“Including this money in the Transportation bill is a huge step toward securing regular funding for Houston’s light rail,” Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) said. We’re going to need more than $10 million to get this project done, but once it becomes a part of the budget, it’s likely to stay there.” 

 

Green, who requested the light rail funding be included in the bill, also noted that Houston hadn’t received its fair share in light rail funding. “Our city is too far behind the times in providing convenient transportation for our citizens and visitors,” he said. “We’re the fourth-largest city in the country, but we rank 11th in accommodation of light rail riders, behind St. Louis and Dallas.”

 

Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) also requested funding. "Our success with this $10 million set aside for these two METRO rail lines or services in Congressman Gene Green's district proves that we keep our word - we will only fund those rail lines that our constituents support," he said.

 

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