Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1.2 Million in Economic Recovery Act Funding Coming to Glens Falls Area For Transportation Improvements

Jul 10, 2009

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will provide a total of $1,242,494 to the Greater Glens Falls Transit System through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration. This funding will allow for the purchase of a hybrid electric bus for the region in addition to improvements to existing transportation infrastructure.

“Investing in hybrid electric technology is a wise investment in the short and long term,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding will upgrade our current infrastructure and create jobs in the process to deliver a much-needed boost to the regional economy.”

“This is the right investment Glens Falls,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Upgrading infrastructure and using more fuel efficient public transportation will help cut emissions and improve the environment, while creating new jobs and helping to  rebuild the economy. I will continue working with Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government.”

The Greater Glens Falls Transit department handles the transit needs of the Glens Falls area.  With an office in nearby Queensbury, the Transit department provides service to Glens Falls 6 days a week. The Transit department provides fixed-route transit, seasonal trolleys, dial-a-ride FAME curb-to-curb service for the disabled.

This grant is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Funding from this grant will allow Greater Glens Fall Transit to purchase a 30ft hybrid electric transit bus for expansion. This vehicle will be the first of its kind to operate in the Glens Falls area. In addition to supporting domestic, green technology development, the vehicle will be a very visible, daily demonstration of applied green technology at a local level.

Funds will also be used rehabilitate bus shelters, purchase a pick-up truck and new plow and salt spreader for maintenance of the transit facility; acquire an in-ground lift, install new telephone information system and computer systems and preventive maintenance will enhance the public transit infrastructure in the Glens falls area. They will improve budgetary efficiency and protect the considerable capital investments already made in the area. Lastly, these funds will be used to purchase manufactured goods and equipment from domestic sources, thereby helping to sustain manufacturing sector employment, or will be used to secure the employment of qualified GGFT maintenance staff in support of safe and economical public transit services in the Glens Falls area.