Dr. Ruiz Secures Over $17 Million in Federal Funding for Clean Transportation
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), SunLine Transit Agency (SunLine), and Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) announced that $17 million in federal funding is on its way to California's 36th Congressional District to expand access to clean, reliable transportation. Dr. Ruiz advocated for the funding through the Federal Transit Agency's (FTA) Buses and Bus Facilities Grant program. The funding will help SunLine and RTA bring safe, environmentally friendly transportation to residents in the 36th District by purchasing new hydrogen fuel cell buses, rehabilitating natural gas transit buses, and advancing the construction of hydrogen fueling stations.
"I am thrilled to have helped secure over $17 million in federal funding to expand access to safe, reliable, clean transportation in our communities," said Dr. Ruiz. "Thanks to SunLine and RTA's innovation, our region is leading the nation in clean transportation technology, including hydrogen fuel buses. Investing in clean transportation technology is vital to reducing air pollution in our communities, achieving environmental justice, improving access to transit for all, and strengthening our local economy. This funding will help local families get to work and school faster and safer than ever before and help put the 36th District on the map as the hydrogen hub for the nation."
"We are thankful for Dr. Ruiz's ongoing advocacy on behalf of transportation and clean energy and for the FTA's selection of SunLine in this funding opportunity," said Lauren Skiver, CEO/General Manager of SunLine. "As a decades long leader in zero-emission technology development, we recognize the importance of this level of investment and the impact it will continue to have to improve air quality in our local communities."
"This is an exciting time for RTA as we make plans to operate cleaner and greener than ever before," said RTA Chairman of the Board Zak Schwank. "RTA has always been committed to a sustainable future, and the conversion of our entire bus fleet to zero-emission technology will be a massive step forward in our efforts to help improve air quality in Riverside County."
BACKGROUND
Dr. Ruiz championed SunLine and RTA's applications for funding under the FTA's Section 5339(B) Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program, which makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities.
In letters to FTA Administrator Fernandez, Dr. Ruiz urged support for the transit agencies' applications, citing the Coachella Valley's poor air quality. The funding Dr. Ruiz secured would not only improve air quality and public health in the region, but also help the State of California achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
In total, SunLine, which provides services to the Coachella Valley, received over $8.4 million in funding to rehabilitate compressed natural gas transit buses and replace current buses with hydrogen-electric fuel cell buses. RTA, which provides services to Hemet and San Jacinto, received nearly $8.8 million in funding to construct hydrogen fueling stations and provide workforce development training.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, local transit agencies will have the opportunity to apply for additional funding to modernize bus fleets and facilities across the country through the FTA's Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Plans.
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