Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that five federal grants have been awarded to improve public transit in Indian Country.

The grants come from a U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Agency grant program specifically for Native American communities that Bingaman helped create.  The funds, awarded on a competitive basis, are as follows:

• $500,000 to Navajo Transit System: Funds will go toward the purchase transit buses, personnel costs, and to various service enhancements, including five new routes.
• $131,582 to San Ildefonso: Operating assistance for existing and expanded service, purchase bus shelters.
• $205,085 to Ohkay Owingey: Operating expenses for demand route transit services.
• $193,000 to Santa Ana Pueblo: Expand existing transit service with two new routes.
• $110,000 to Pueblo of Tesuque: Operating assistance for expanding services.

"Supporting public transit is an important way to invest in New Mexico communities," Bingaman said.  "Bus systems help New Mexicans get to school, to work and beyond.  These grants will provide a much-needed boost in New Mexico's Indian Country."