Funding Will Ensure Portland Area Public Transportation Remains a Model for Nation

PORTLAND – Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a total of $9 million to Oregon agencies to replace and upgrade their fleets of commuter buses. $6 million will go to Tri-Met for Portland area buses and $3 million will go to the Oregon Department of Transportation Transit Division for rural bus routes.

“This is a great investment in our bus system at a time when public transportation is more important than ever,” said Blumenauer. “This funding will allow Tri-Met and the Oregon Department of Transportation to ensure that public transportation in our state remains a model for the nation to follow. Not only are we improving our fleet of buses in downtown Portland, but we are also bringing a high level of bus service to rural areas whose residents need more transportation options.”

Tri-Met and the Oregon DOT were selected for funding on a competitive basis through a new U.S. Department of Transportation transit initiative announced in May 2010 called the State of Good Repair Program.