SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO APPROVE LOCAL PROPOSAL TO ADD 24 NEW, CLEANER & MORE RELIABLE BUSES TO THE NFTA FLEET; TODAY, ONE-THIRD OF NFTA BUSES ARE OLDER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND 40 BUSES ARE OUT OF SERVICE AT ANY GIVEN TIME, CAUSING DELAYS, ROUTE CANCELLATIONS, AND STRANDED COMMUTERS; VOWS TO FIGHT TOOTH & NAIL TO SECURE FED FUNDING
In Letter To Dot Schumer Makes Clear The Need To Modernize Western New York’s Public Transportation; Senator Says NFTA Is Critical To Western New York’s Economy, Transporting Thousands Across Niagara And Erie Counties
Schumer Helped Create New Program That Helps Erie County & Other Upstate NY Counties Replace Aging Bus Fleets And Now Calls On The Feds To Approve Application For Funding Which Would Improve NFTA Buses And Operations, Making Commutes Across WNY Safer, Faster, And More Enjoyable
Schumer To Feds: NFTA’s New Bus Application Must Be Put In Fast Lane For Approval
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced a major push for Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program application. Specifically, Schumer is calling on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to approve funding through the Section 5339(b) Bus and Bus Facilities Program to support NFTA’s CNG Bus Fleet and Fueling Facility Upgrade project. Schumer said with this critical federal investment, the NFTA will purchase 24 replacement Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, install 2 new CNG fueling compressors at their Frontier Bus Fueling Station, and upgrade the electrical system at the station for expanded fueling operations. Schumer said this federal investment would be a major boost to the NFTA, which has been struggling to shoulder the cost of maintaining an aging fleet in recent years.
“NFTA buses keep the engine of the entire regional economy humming; service is vital for many families across Erie and Niagara Counties – that is why I am fighting tooth and nail to ensure that NFTA has the resources it needs to modernize its bus fleet,” said Senator Schumer. “New equipment and critical upgrades will enable more commuters to get to work each morning and allow residents to shop and enjoy WNY's many recreational activities on the weekends – and reduce air pollution. I am urging the FTA to sign, seal, and deliver these funds so that Western New York residents and travelers can enjoy safer, faster, and more efficient rides.”
Schumer said the NFTA is at a critical moment in the management of its bus fleet. In fact, almost a third of its buses are beyond their FTA useful life in both age and miles, and over 40 buses are out of service each month for repairs. Due to these challenges, the NFTA has been forced to dedicate all federal formula funding to preventive maintenance activities. This has put a strain on the overall capital budget and has led to a significant backlog of deferred capital projects across the organization, including the purchase of new buses.
Schumer said this critical federal investment will allow the NFTA to replace life-expired buses with new CNG models, helping them reduce their overall average fleet age and achieve their long-range state of good repair goals. Additionally, it will allow the NFTA to expand the fueling capacity at their Frontier Bus Garage to accommodate newer CNG buses as older diesel models are replaced from the active bus roster. Together, these bus fleet and facility upgrades will help increase the availability of clean, efficient, and reliable public transportation options for transit-dependent and choice riders across Western New York.
Schumer explained that the 5-year federal transportation bill, the FAST Act was passed in Congress in December 2015. This bill, which Schumer helped pass, provides a total of over $16.3 billion in direct infrastructure spending to NY State over five years. Schumer fought hard to ensure that Bus and Bus Facilities Program was included in the final bill. This program has been funded at an average of $300 million per year. Schumer made funding this program a priority, following countless meetings with New York State transportation leaders who had urgent bus funding needs. Additionally, under the FAST Act, NY State saw an increase in its relative share of transportation spending compared to other states.
A Copy of Schumer’s letter appears below:
Hon. Elaine L. Chao, Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
Dear Secretary Chao:
I write to express my full support for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s (NFTA) application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for funding through the Section 5339(b) Bus and Bus Facilities Program to support their CNG Bus Fleet and Fueling Facility Upgrade project. Through this proposed project, the NFTA will purchase 24 replacement Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, install two new CNG fueling compressors at their Frontier Bus Fueling Station, and upgrade the electrical system at the station for expanded fueling operations.
The NFTA is at a pivotal moment in the management of its bus fleet. With almost a third of its buses beyond their FTA useful life in both age and miles, and over 40 buses out of service each month for repairs, the NFTA has been forced to dedicate all federal formula funding to preventive maintenance activities. This has put a strain on the overall capital budget and has led to a significant backlog of deferred capital projects across the organization.
This project will allow the NFTA to replace life-expired buses with new CNG models, helping them to reduce their overall average fleet age and achieve their long-range state of good repair goals. In addition, it will allow the NFTA to expand the fueling capacity at their Frontier Bus Garage to accommodate newer CNG buses as older diesel models are replaced from the active bus roster. Together, these bus fleet and facility upgrades will help increase the availability of clean, efficient, and reliable public transportation options for transit-dependent and choice riders across Western New York.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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