On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal gathered with Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) Administrator Sandra Sheehan to announce $2.4 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
These funds, from the Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program, are made available for entities looking to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment or to construct bus-related facilities. The PVTA will be using these monies to rehabilitate and convert its 110-year-old fixed-route bus maintenance garage to a facility for paratransit operations and maintenance hub.
“This is great news for the PVTA as they continue to grow and adapt to the needs of their ridership,” said Congressman Neal. “Congratulations to Sandra Sheehan and her team at PVTA for the success of their application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for these monies. It is an incredibly competitive program and I am thrilled with the accomplishment. So many people will benefit from this award as it will continue to ensure safe, reliable transportation.”
“I’m very appreciative of Congressman Neal’s continued efforts and those of Senators Markey and Warren for this substantial funding for our PVTA operations,” said Mayor Sarno. “Intermodal transportation is extremely important for our growing and thriving City of Springfield. I’d also like to commend PVTA Administrator Sandra Sheehan for her visionary leadership efforts. This will be a nice complement to ‘the house that Neal built,’ our historic and magnificent Union Station.”
“Keeping transportation infrastructure up to date is crucial to the economic health and well-being of Springfield and the Pioneer Valley. I am glad the Federal Transit Administration has decided to make this investment in our communities, businesses, and families,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“I applaud the Federal Transit Administration’s investment in the PVTA’s future,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Access to reliable transportation is critical to a city’s economic development and to its tourism industry. It is critical to our residents who rely on it get to work, bring their children to school, and conduct their daily lives. Investing today in Springfield and the Pioneer Valley will reap rewards for generations to come.”
“PVTA is thankful for this grant award for the rehabilitation of our 110-year old facility that will consolidate paratransit operations and maintenance to one location which will improve efficiency as well as the longevity of PVTA’s van fleet by allowing for the vehicles to now be stored indoors and sheltered from the harsh weather elements,” said Administrator Sheehan. “Protecting and maintaining PVTA’s assets is a vital component to providing services that are safe, convenient and reliable to our passengers.”
Contact: Margaret L. Boyle, margaret.boyle@mail.house.gov
