WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, announced that the Federal Transit Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $634,000 grant to the Area Transportation Authority of North Central Pennsylvania (ATA) to replace ten vehicles.
“The funds will enable ATA North Central to replace ten older vehicles with accessible large passenger vans and small buses, and will also fund spare parts,” said Thompson. “ATA will be able to improve its fleet and provide better service to its riders with newer, more energy efficient vehicles. This cuts down on operating costs in the long-run.”
Mike Imbrogno, chief executive officer at ATA, said a small amount of the funding will go to purchase spare parts and associated equipment such as communications and mobile data computers, which are installed in the vehicles after they are manufactured. “The vehicles will be put into service throughout the ATA’s region soon after their receipt, at which time the old vehicles that are being replaced will be taken out of service and disposed of.”
He said, “The vehicles that will be purchased will help insure that many of the region’s residents will be able to continue to access health care and medical services, jobs, senior centers and other destinations needed to sustain everyday living.”