Congressman Cohen Announces $7 Million for MATA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) will receive $7 million through the State of Good Repair Program to purchase twelve replacement buses. The new buses will be hybrid electric.

“I am pleased that MATA was chosen to receive money to replace some of their diesel-powered buses with hybrids,” said Congressman Cohen. “Tens of thousands of people rely on MATA every day for transportation. The hybrid buses that will be purchased with these federal funds will increase fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improve the comfort of the riders.”

MATA received the grant after a competitive review through the State of Good Repair Program, which is a new transit initiative that was announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2010. The State of Good Repair Program provides fund to help maintain the nation’s bus and rail systems.

“We are delighted to receive funding from the State of Good Repair discretionary grant program,” said Will Hudson, President and General Manager of MATA. “MATA’s seven million will be spent on bus replacement for our aging fixed route buses. We expect to see maintenance expenses reduced and fewer road calls. MATA will purchase twelve hybrid electric buses. In 2007, MATA established new bus technology as a priority and currently has fifteen hybrid buses in the fleet.”

MATA transports nearly 40,000 riders on 244 transit vehicles, including 171 buses. The average age of the bus fleet is seven years.

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