PA SEPTA Stimulus Project

Introduces Forty New Hybrid Buses to the Area

October 19, 2009 -- Philadelphia, PA – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) took part in announcing the procurement of 40 new hybrid buses by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

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Congressman Sestak was joined by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey, and SEPTA Board of Director Chairman Pasquale Deon at SEPTA’s Midvale Bus Depot in the Tioga/Nicetown section of Philadelphia for the announcement celebration. The purchase of the new environmentally friendly buses was one of thirty-two SEPTA projects aimed at improving the region’s transit infrastructure that were funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which Congressman Sestak voted for and was signed into law on February 17, 2009.

The 40 hybrid buses unveiled today are in addition to the 400 already being built for SEPTA by New Flyer of America based in Minneapolis. Congressman Sestak successfully secured $500,000 for SEPTA in the FY08 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill for the first 400 hybrid buses. The replacement of 440 buses in SEPTA’s fleet of nearly 1,400 with these diesel/electric hybrid vehicles is part of SEPTA’s investment in sustainability and environmentally responsible technologies and will help to further reduce harmful emissions and improving regional and national ambient air quality standards.

“Advancing our public transportation infrastructure is a critical step in the investment to improving the region’s long-term sustainability,” said Congressman Sestak. “Public transit is a vital part of any comprehensive strategy to address global climate change and I applaud SEPTA, the nation’s 6th largest transportation authority, for recognizing the importance of sustainable solutions and implementing them into their operations.”

Source: Congressman Joe Sestak