Van Hollen Applauds Recovery Act Funding for WMATA
Allowed WMATA to Purchase Environmentally Friendly Buses, Will Create Over 150 Jobs
Rockville, M.D.,
Sep 13, 2010 -
Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congresswomen Donna Edwards (D-MD) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Maryland and Virginia officials, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony for WMATA’s new diesel-electric hybrid Metrobuses and new MetroAccess vehicles in Landover, MD.
“I congratulate WMATA on putting Recovery dollars to work upgrading its fleet of Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles and making much-needed improvements to the Carmen Turner Facility,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “These job-creating projects will improve service, expedite repairs, and save taxpayers money in the long term. I look forward to seeing these new, clean vehicles out on the roads.”
WMATA used $52 million in Recovery Act funding to purchase 48 new diesel-electric hybrid buses and 80 new paratransit vehicles, and as well as for the construction of a new bus body and paint shop. Thirty jobs were created in the procurement and manufacturing of the new Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles, and WMATA anticipates that 125 jobs will be created through bus facility construction.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
