O’MARA AND PALMESANO WELCOME FUNDING FOR REGIONAL RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: Say new state and federal funding investing in ‘21st Century’ infrastructure

Albany, N.Y., June 26—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today said that localities across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions they represent will receive approximately $8 million in combined state and federal funding for rural public transportation projects.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “Upstate rural populations rely on these local transit systems as absolute lifelines to get to work and back, secure educational opportunities, access health services, go to the grocery store, and access other needs and services. Investments to modernize, upgrade and strengthen rural public transportation systems are investments in economic growth, and community development and stability.”

The regional funding was announced as part of $57.7 million in state and federal funding for 136 rural public transportation projects statewide. The funding will go to support rural public transportation operations, purchase buses and related equipment, enhance coordination between local transportation agencies, and construct new transit-related infrastructure. Overall, $34.3 million of the new funding will be used for vehicle replacement and infrastructure renewal projects, and $23.4 million to support service operations. It is expected that the total investment will leverage nearly $85 million in rural transportation improvements across Upstate New York.

The following projects in localities represented by O’Mara and Palmesano will receive funding:

> Chemung County: $407,000 in operating assistance, and $109,000 for projects that support mobility;
> City of Corning: $214,000 in operating assistance;
> City of Hornell: $536,000 in operating assistance, $274,000 to replace four transit buses, and $7,000 to maintain a vehicle lift;
> Schuyler County: $485,000 in operating assistance, $124,000 to replace two transit buses, $91,000 for technology equipment, and $269,000 for projects that support mobility;
> Steuben County: $403,000 in operating assistance, $41,000 for technology equipment, and $578,000 for projects that support mobility;
> Tompkins County: $525,000 in operating assistance, $1.68 million to replace four transit buses, $420,000 for sixteen bus shelters, technology equipment, facility maintenance and construction, and $490,000 for projects that support mobility; and
> Yates County: $86,000 in operating assistance, and $4,000 for new bus signs.

Palmesano, who also represents a part of Seneca County, said that Seneca will receive $150,000 in operating assistance, $393,000 to purchase five transit buses to expand services, and $18,000 for one bus shelter for RTS.