Rep. Lofgren Applauds $3.49 million Federal Grant for SJSU-led University Transportation Consortium

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $3.49 million to a San Jose State University-led consortium to develop and advance public transportation research and education. The consortium members represent a diverse group of universities, including Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ; Howard University in Washington, DC; University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, MI; Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI; Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH; University of Toledo in Toledo, OH; University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV; and Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.

Congresswoman Lofgren led an effort, in collaboration with San Jose State University's Mineta Transportation Insititute, to secure the funding.

The SJSU-led consortium will serve the public transportation industry through research, education and workforce development, and technology transfer activities. Areas of expertise include alternative fuels, safety and security, public policy, finance, workforce development, livable communities, environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness, new modes, and many other critical factors essential to sustainable mobility.

Rep. Lofgren stated, "I want to congratulate San Jose State, as well as the other consortium universities, on receiving this grant funding. Transit options are critical to communities like ours in San Jose, and this investment will lead to important research to keep our public transportation systems running smoothly and safely for all."

"The Mineta Transportation Institute's selection by the Secretary of Transportation to lead a nine-university national transit research consortium validates the quality of MTI's research and education programs. We look forward to helping to create a more sustainable national transportation system for America," said Rod Diridon, Executive Director Mineta Transportation Institute.

Click here to view Rep. Zoe Lofgren's October 24, 2011 letter to the Department of Transportation in support of the UTC funding.