FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 19, 2000
Contact:  Gail Taylor
Tel.:   (202) 366-4043
FTA 21-00

 U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $1 Million In Job Access Funds to CalTrans

  U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will receive $1 million in Job Access and Reverse Commute funds for a transportation services pilot project designed to improve transportation services for 400,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers in the southern region of California=s Central Valley.

APublic transit plays a vital role in helping people move from the dependence of welfare rolls to the security, pride and self-sufficiency of payrolls.  It is a key element of the Clinton-Gore commitment to help people move from welfare to work.@

  The Job Access and Reverse Commute grant announced today will fund a two-year Farmworker Transportation Services Pilot Project (FTSPP) which will ensure that farm workers have unimpeded access to jobs and mitigate the growing number of injuries and fatalities due to vehicle collisions being incurred by farm workers throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The FTSPP will implement a vanpool program, a fixed-route service, and a Dial-a-Ride program within the designated areas of the San Joaquin Valley.  The FTSPP will serve the counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare in California=s San Joaquin Valley, also known as the Central Valley.  The project will begin in Kern, Kings and Tulare counties the first year and expand into Fresno County the second year. These services will also extend to farm worker families for employment-related, child care, health and/or social purposes.

 In total, $75 million in FY 2000 Job Access and Reverse Commute program funds will help communities implement 218 transit projects in 39 states and the District of Columbia. 

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Briefing Room