FTA 16-03
Friday, May 2, 200
Contact: Kristi Clemens
Tel.: (202)
366-4043
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1.2 Million to Georgia for Job
Access Transportation Service
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today
announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing $1.2
million to the Georgia Department of Transportation for expansion of transit
services in the city of Savannah and Hall County. These services are geared toward filling gaps between lower
income Georgia residents and regional job centers, job-training programs and
educational facilities.
“Public transportation is vital in helping people move
from welfare to the security and self-sufficiency of jobs,” Secretary Mineta
said. “It is a key element in
helping people reach their goals and become fully productive citizens.”
FTA Administrator Jennifer Dorn stated, “The FTA is
pleased to partner with the Georgia Department of Transportation in their
efforts to provide transit solutions to low-income residents, which will allow
them to participate more fully in their communities.
This partnership is an example of the FTA’s efforts to promote
independence and opportunity through increasing successful coordination of
transportation services among human service agencies and transportation
providers.”
Proposed transit
initiatives include continuation of fixed route extensions of the existing bus
network to major employment centers, and expansions in the span and days of
service tailored to second or third shift workers, and weekend service sectors
employees. Highlights include:
· service providing convenient transfers from the Savannah #6 Cross-town route to the Southside #6 Cross-town route for residents traveling to Southside employment areas;
· introduction of the Savannah Belles Ferry service to provide water transportation from Savannah’s Historic Downtown District to Hutchinson Island, a major tourist destination;
· continuation of the Savannah vanpool service to transport workers to employment sites not currently served by Chatham Area Transit’s fixed route bus service; and
·
the purchase and operation
of two expansion vans by Hall County Transit to continue its “Red Rabbit”
fixed route system.
The Job Access and Reverse Commute program, which is supported by the grants announced today, continues to support agencies all over the country as they help welfare recipients make the transition to employment and help others seeking entry level jobs find and retain work.
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