WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the distribution of more than $20 billion for Fiscal Year 2022 to strengthen public transit across the country, including over $379 million for Washington State, representing the largest investment in public transit in our country’s history.
“Thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Washington State will receive $369,533,187 in funding to distribute to local public transit agencies across the state to repair, modernize, and expand our public transit network – a major win for Washingtonians. This funding will help connect communities throughout the region and make it easier for people to get where they need to go.
“As the Puget Sound Region continues to experience explosive growth, this funding will be especially important to expanding public transit to every corner of our state, so that all members of our community have access to safe, reliable, and convenient transportation.
“This funding will also allow our state to invest in clean energy technology to power our public transit network, an important step in combatting the climate crisis. Public transit agencies will now have additional resources at their disposal to assemble electric and zero-emissions fleets that will reduce pollution and help to decarbonize the transportation sector to make our communities and our planet healthier.
“I am proud to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law deliver major investments like this to states across the country and I commend President Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for taking action to advance the strength and resiliency of our communities.”
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