Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2006

Schumer, Clinton Announce $198,000 For Job Access Program In Orange County

Federal Money Will Be Used To Increase Access to Jobs in Newburgh and Middletown

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $198,193 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to Orange County. The money will be used for Orange County’s Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) program.

“This is great news for the Hudson Valley," said Schumer. "The JARC program allows people access to jobs that would otherwise be outside their reach. Connecting people with jobs is important for both the community and the economy. Hard-working people should not be denied job access because they cannot afford transportation, especially as gas prices are reaching record high levels. I will continue to fight for federal funds to help the Orange County remain a thriving center of activity and a hub for economic growth in the region."

“Reverse commuting can sometimes be difficult but is something that thousands of people do every day, especially in Orange County. Just as we support commuters, we need to have the infrastructure in place to help reverse commuters get to their jobs quickly and easily. Reverse commuting also takes some strain off more traditional transit routes. This funding will be a boost for Orange County’s JARC program and will hopefully help people get to their jobs more easily, bringing more workers and more money into Newburgh and Middletown,” Senator Clinton said.

This grant will provide federal funding for Orange County’s JARC program. Federal dollars will specifically be used to lease a van, hire a driver, fund a transportation coordinator, and pay for van operating expenses. The program targets low-income individuals in Newburgh and Middletown to transport them to and from employment opportunities outside the cities. The services provided include transportation to and from employment opportunities, as well as coordination, referral, and scheduling between employers and individuals.

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