$10M US grant will help Hazleton Public Transit build new bus facility

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, last week announced a $10 million grant for Hazleton Public Transit (HPT) from the U.S. Department of Transportation Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.

This program provides federal resources for transit capital projects for fixed route service providers.

“I’m excited to hear that Hazleton Public Transit has been awarded a $10 million U.S. DOT grant,” said Ralph Sharp, Director of Hazleton Public Transit. “These funds will help tremendously in accomplishing our goal to build a very needed bus storage and maintenance facility. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible, including Congressman Dan Meuser, the Federal Transit Administration, and the team at PennDOT. We are hoping to break ground early next year.”

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program assists fixed-route bus operators to finance capital projects involving buses and bus facilities, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing vehicles, equipment, and facilities.

“Public transit is a critical link in our transportation infrastructure,” said Meuser, whose district includes HPT service areas in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties. “Hazleton Public Transit connects Pennsylvanians to neighboring communities for work, school, and essential services. This grant will help HPT build a new maintenance and storage facility to ensure they continue providing outstanding, accessible, and modern transit services in Northeast Pennsylvania.”