Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is releasing $3.79 million he helped secure to help the City of Albuquerque make some improvements to its transportation system.

Bingaman said $3.3 million he helped secure in a 2005 transportation bill will be used to purchase 12 clean hybrid-diesel buses. Additionally, $499,800 will be used to rehabilitate the Amtrak Station in Albuquerque. The 100-year old building is part of the Alvarado downtown transit center, which serves city buses, intercity coaches, and commuter rail. The historic building has deteriorated and doesn’t present a welcoming face to visitors to central New Mexico. Bingaman secured funding for the Alvarado project in a fiscal year 2008 transportation spending bill.

“Public transportation has become a popular alternative during these tough economic times and I am pleased this funding will help the City of Albuquerque make upgrades to its bus service,” Bingaman said.