Solano gets transit funds

Solano gets transit funds
By Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald, Vallejo
Posted: 09/29/2009

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal stimulus money will help promote public transportation in two northern Solano cities and buy four new buses to transport senior and disabled riders, according to the Solano Transportation Authority.

California received $34 million in transit funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the state announced Monday.

In Solano County, the cities of Dixon and Rio Vista learned they will get the federal funds designed to promote public transportation in rural areas. Grants will go to 141 projects represented by 77 transit agencies statewide.

Some $300,000 will replace three 18-passenger paratransit vehicles in Dixon, and one similar bus in Vallejo, STA executive director Daryl Halls said.

"Every little bit helps," Halls said of the federal stimulus money coming to Solano County.

Meanwhile, Dixon will get $381,676 to help build a municipal service center to house offices, maintenance and buses, City Manager Nancy Huston said.

"It's a building that we are going to construct in our yard for our transit vehicles," she said. "The projects have to be shovel-ready to be eligible."

Dixon will also get $48,000 to help maintain its "Ready Ride" bus service that takes passengers around town and to Vacaville, Huston said.

Rio Vista will get $75,000 to help fund maintenance of the city's buses, specifically to pay for tools and a mechanic, city transit coordinator John Andoh said.