PROVIDENCE, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will receive a $1.5 million federal grant to help make bus transit more efficient and reliable.  RIPTA will use the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair Program to develop an asset management system in order to more effectively track the condition of the agency’s fleet, facilities, and equipment.

“Thousands of Rhode Islanders rely on RIPTA every day to get them to work, school, and home.  At a time of fiscal challenges, this funding will help RIPTA operate more efficiently while improving the safety and performance of its bus fleet,” said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee.  “Good transportation is key to Rhode Island’s economic development and I am proud to have secured federal funding to help improve travel options throughout the state.”

“We at RIPTA are very excited and appreciative of Senator Reeds’ efforts regarding this grant opportunity.  As we struggle during this recession to do more with less, this grant will enable RIPTA better manage agency fleet, contain costs, and continue to provide reliable transit services critical to the economic health of our region,” said RIPTA CEO Charles Odimgbe.

Senator Reed helped write the last major surface transportation bill (known as “SAFETEA-LU”), which included over $84 million for RIPTA – a 71% increase for the state -- to modernize its bus fleet and expand public transportation options throughout the state.

Reed also announced that the state will receive $188,959 in federal funding for clean diesel projects as part of its ongoing campaign to reduce harmful emissions in the air and better protect people’s health.  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management may use the funding to retrofit and replace a number of state-owned and municipal-owned diesel equipment.  The federal grant comes through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, which is funded by the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee chaired by Senator Reed.