FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 15, 2006
(ALBANY, NY) -- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Thomas J. Madison, Jr. today announced that public transportation agencies other than the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) may begin applying for funding under the Transit Clean Fuel Vehicle Initiative provided through the $2.9 billion Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act approved by voters on November 8, 2005.
"Thanks to Governor Pataki's leadership, we have been able to provide New Yorkers with a safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation system," Commissioner Madison said. "Together, we will continue to improve the state's transportation system with environmental enhancements that utilize the latest energy technologies and continue our nationally recognized context sensitive design program."
Approximately $20 million in statewide transit capital grants will be available for the 2005-06 and 06-07 state fiscal years to help purchase clean-fueled hybrid-electric and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. A remaining $30 million in funding will be made available at a rate of $10 million annually from state fiscal years 2007 through 2009.
Funding will help subsidize the costs associated with mainstreaming approximately 250 hybrid-electric buses into public transit fleets. The program also will continue to support the use of CNG with funding available to transit systems that have previously demonstrated a commitment to using CNG and have invested in facility and infrastructure modifications required to support CNG.
Eligible public transportation participants will receive program information, guidelines and applications via mail, or may contact the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Assistance Program Delivery Bureau at (518) 457-8343. Applications must be received by NYSDOT no later than April 17, 2006.
Approximately $40 million will be allocated for specific clean-fuel projects during the first four years of the Transit Clean Fuel Initiative. The remaining $10 million will be apportioned during the final year of the program on a needs-based formula that takes into consideration local air quality attainment designation, the portion of existing system fleet eligible for replacement, and the availability of base vehicle funding, which is the cost of a standard diesel vehicle.
For more information: Kathy Brown, 518-457-6400; kbrown@dot.state.ny.us ###