Dearborn, Mich.  – Today U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) commended the U.S. Department of Transportation for granting funds to Southeast Michigan to improve public transportation.

$4.995 million was issued to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the suburban bus system which services Greater Detroit and Southeast Michigan, covering more than 1,200 square miles in Michigan.  SMART oversees all operations of the public transportation services for Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Monroe counties.  Today’s grant will fund the replacement of worn-out buses in SMART’s fleet with hybrid biodiesel/electric buses. 

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) also known as TheRide received two grants to fund strategies for transportation and development improvements between the UM campuses and around the community.  The Ann Arbor Connector project  will use $1.2 million to study transit alternatives to increase opportunities for economic development without increasing the need for new infrastructure by improving transit along major activity centers in the northeast and the southern part of Ann Arbor. The other project will use $2.625 million to purchase more clean diesel buses with partially hybrid-electric engines to increase bus service frequency along the Washtenaw Avenue Corridor.

“Today’s grants will not only create jobs and improve commuting around Southeast Michigan; these investments will move Michigan forward by enhancing alternative transportation for families and individuals to run errands and commute to work and school.  New transit options are needed as Southeast Michigan is starting to grow again, and this funding enables the transit agencies to accommodate the growth.  Having affordable access to an efficient and environmental sound transportation system puts Southeast Michigan on the cusp of modern public transportation that will better our livelihood and make for healthier communities.”
 
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