Governor Schwarzenegger Announces $136 Million for Transit Projects to Keep Californians and Our Economy Moving

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined local officials in San Diego today to announce approximately $136 million in Proposition 1B bond funding for 99 transit projects statewide.

"By investing in transit projects across the state we can stimulate the economy, reduce traffic congestion and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The funding of these projects will encourage the use of public transit and give Californians an alternative to rising gas prices."

The second of two annual funding cycles from the bond's $3.6 billion Public Transportation Modernization, Improvement and Service Enhancement Account (PTMISEA), this funding brings the total for transit money allocated to date to $530 million for fiscal year 2007-08.

"Proposition 1B provides a substantial down payment on meeting California's long-term transportation needs," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. "This investment will help put us one step closer to our goal during the next decade to reduce congestion while accommodating growth in population."

Some of the more notable projects approved for funding include:

Bay Area

$36 million to the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District for their Station Modernization Program, which will upgrade all 43 BART stations by replacing aging equipment and improving station signage.
$9.7 million to the San Francisco Muni for the Metro East Light Rail Vehicle Facility that will increase efficiency and reduce costs for light rail vehicle maintenance.
$8 million to the San Mateo County Transit District to replace 126 older buses with new, more fuel efficient and cleaner burning buses.
$6.7 million to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to build a pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing spanning the Monterey Highway and the Union Pacific railroad tracks, which is used by freight trains, Amtrak and Caltrain.

Sacramento

$4 million to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments for a variety of projects, including replacing buses with more fuel efficient models, replacing wheelchair lifts on buses and improving ticketing systems for more efficient public use.

Riverside

$8 million to the Riverside Transit Agency for replacement and expansion of transit services. A portion of these buses will implement a Bus Rapid Transit service along the Interstate 215 corridor.
$2.5 million to the Riverside County Transportation Commission for the Green Metrolink Station Rehabilitation project that will update and modernize all five stations, using environmentally-friendly technologies.

San Joaquin Valley

$3.8 million to the Golden Empire Transit District in Kern County to replace aged buses with new, more fuel efficient and cleaner burning buses.
$2 million to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission for a maintenance facility in Stockton. This facility will serve Altamont Commuter Express passenger cars and locomotives.
$500,000 to San Joaquin Council of Governments for a multi-modal station parking facility in Tracy. This project will enable the public to have access to local and regional public transit, including bus service, regional connections, future passenger rail service, taxi, dial-a-ride, van pools, car pools, ridesharing, and bicycles.

San Diego

$9 million to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to replace older buses with new, more fuel efficient buses.

For a complete list of the projects receiving funding click here

To date this fiscal year, a total of $3.4 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated to improve California's transportation infrastructure. In addition, the Schwarzenegger Administration has allocated the following in Proposition 1B funding:

$40 million for port security
$221 million for diesel emission reduction projects
$15 million for rail security