THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT BYRD.

WASHINGTON, D.C.... U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., announced today that the West Virginia Division of Public Transit is set to receive a $5 million federal grant that will be used to purchase new buses in Charleston and Huntington. Byrd included a provision in 2005 legislation that directs $5 million annually to West Virginia specifically for buses and bus facilities.

“As gas prices continue to skyrocket, public transportation has become even more important for thousands of West Virginians. I have worked for years to provide federal funding to give West Virginians access to more modern and efficient transit services. This new round of funding will improve bus service for travelers in Charleston and Huntington,” Byrd said.

The $5 million for the West Virginia Transit Authority is funding that Byrd added to the 2005 Transportation Authorization bill (SAFETEA-LU) to improve bus services throughout the state. The funding will allow the Charleston and Huntington transit authorities to purchase new buses to replenish their fleets.

“Communities throughout West Virginia benefit from bus services. For many citizens, public transportation provides the means to visit the doctor, to travel to the grocery store, and to visit relatives. For these citizens, the reliability of transit service is absolutely essential,” Byrd said.