Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $16.5 Million Headed to Oregon to Improve Public Transit Infrastructure, Invest in Climate Conscious Solutions

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $16,600,584 in federal funding for public transit districts around Oregon from the Buses and Bus Facilities Program as well as the Low-No Emissions Program. These funds are intended to improve transit facilities and projects, invest in EV infrastructure, and reduce transportation-based emissions that contribute to climate chaos.

“Our public transportation systems keep Oregonians connected and ensures vital services are within reach for our communities,” said Merkley. “These grants will help improve and make our transit districts around the state stronger and reduce the dangerous air pollution that affects public health. This is huge. I will continue working to ensure that all transit systems across Oregon have the resources they need to get Oregonians where they’re going safely and efficiently.”

“When we talk about how to address the climate crisis, improvements that make public transportation more accessible and reduce pollution are a must,” Wyden said. “These investments will go a long way in the climate fight and in keeping Oregonians healthy, safe and connected.”

The purpose of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. Oregon Buses and Bus Facilities Program recipients can be found below:

  • $5,566,583 to Beaverton Transit Center Bus Layover Improvements
  • $4,632,050 to Umpqua Public Transportation District for maintenance facility, bus wash, and covered parking; purchase and implementation of first Zero Emission Vehicles and electric bus charging infrastructure
  • $1,050,000 to Yamhill County Transit Bus Replacement Project
  • $612,000 to the Oregon Department of Transportation to enhance current service model through integration of demand response, curb-to curb service

The purpose of the Low-No Emissions Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Emissions Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Oregon’s Low-No Emissions Program recipients can be found below:

  • $2,658,068 to City of Corvallis Battery Electric Transit Buses and Charging Infrastructure
  • $2,081,883 to Sandy Area Metro Zero Emission Bus Project

###

en_USEnglish