Levin, Stabenow Announce $363,609 for Transit Improvements

Funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

WASHINGTON – Michigan will receive a $363,609 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help make transit buses in the state more fuel-efficient, Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced today.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will use the ARRA funds to equip buses with “mini-hybrid” components on transit buses. These components replace traditional parts of a diesel-powered bus’s powertrain with electric components that have been shown to improve fuel efficiency by more than 10 percent.

“This award shows how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not only providing valuable stimulus to our economy, but helping set the stage for long-term economic growth by boosting energy efficiency,” Levin said. “This grant will help manufacturers by increasing demand for their goods, help transit agencies reduce their fuel costs, and help our environment by reducing harmful emissions.”

“These transportation dollars are creating jobs for people in Michigan today,” said Stabenow. “At the same time, we are protecting our future by making our public transportation fleet more environmentally friendly. By investing in our state’s transportation infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for future economic growth.”