Indianapolis Business Journal: Public transit systems getting $3.7B, with $51M heading to IndyGo
ICYMI: The entire Indiana Republican Party opposed investments in the state’s infrastructure systems – twice
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated the brighter future the American Rescue Plan is STILL creating for Indianapolis. This time, Pete Buttigieg (Secretary, Department of Transportation) announced IndyGo would receive about $51 million to help jumpstart ridership goals as the state is reaching the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment will help with day-to-day operations – like staffing and payroll services – while also providing a sanitation program aimed to help limit the spread of illnesses on public buses. Additionally, Secretary Buttigieg announced The Jobs Act would purchase American-made buses with little to no emissions.
Simply put: President Joe Biden and Indiana Democrats are creating a better future for Hoosier families across Marion County.
The same cannot be said for Indiana Republicans who flat out voted “NO” on this investment. In fact, Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called these projects “socialism” and claimed their opposition to jobs was a “great campaign to run on”. Democrats will highlight the Indiana GOP’s “NO” record throughout the 2022 campaign year and beyond. Voters will learn that while Democrats delivered Indiana’s bright economic future, Republicans like U.S. Senator Todd Young divided communities with senseless and divisive culture wars.
Here’s a look at how the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for the Hoosier State::
Indianapolis Business Journal: Public transit systems getting $3.7B, with $51M heading to IndyGo
As cities seek to fully reopen, public transit systems straining to win back riders after being crushed by the COVID-19 pandemic are getting a big funding boost to help stay afloat and invest in new fleets of electric buses.
The Biden administration said Monday it was awarding $2.2 billion in coronavirus relief money from the American Rescue Plan to 35 financially strapped transit agencies in 18 states.
The list of agencies includes the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corp., better known as IndyGo, which was awarded more than $51 million. IndyGo was the only recipient from Indiana.
Agencies are expected to use the money to prop up day-to-day operations, including staffing and payroll as well as cleaning and sanitization to limit the spread of illness in public transportation. A federal mask mandate for public transit remains in effect until at least March 18.
Another $1.5 billion in grants will be made available under President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law—a total of $7.5 billion over five years—for transit agencies to purchase low- or no-emission buses made by U.S. workers and to build bus facilities. That’s more than double the combined amount from the previous year.
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