The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that  over $1.3 million in funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be distributed to three projects in Maine.

“I am pleased that the Federal Transit Administration has released this funding for Maine,” said Congressman Mike Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The new vehicles made possible through these investments will save on energy costs, be good for the environment, and help provide area riders a safe and reliable transportation option.”

All the recipient projects were selected on a competitive basis through the fiscal year 2012 State of Good Repair Program. The projects are:

• $180,000 – Waldo Community Action Partners (WCAP) Vehicle Replacements
  The Waldo Community Action Partners, which serves seniors, the disabled, and other transit-dependent riders in Belfast, Bangor, Augusta, Waterville, and Rockland, will replace small buses past their useful lives with new vehicles to more efficiently meet passengers’ needs for on-demand service.

• $735,160 – Aroostook Transportation System, Inc. (ARTS) Vehicle Replacements and Maintenance Garage Roof Replacement
  Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc. (ARTS) will perform repairs on a vehicle maintenance garage including the replacement of roofing. ARTS will also replace several vehicles that have met or exceeded their useful lives.

• $388,000 – Western Maine Transportation Services, Inc. (WMTS) Vehicle Replacements
  To continue to provide reliable public transportation service, Western Maine Transportation Services will replace vehicles in its fleet that have met or exceeded their useful lives. The vehicles will also be equipped with mobile data terminals.