Kelly, Sinema Announce $11.3 Million Investment for Tucson’s City Bus Facilities from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly provides $11.3 million in funding to support bus facility enhancements in the City of Tucson
$11,385,600 will be invested in bus facility enhancements throughout the City of Tucson’s public transit system from the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly.
The funding was awarded to the City of Tucson through the Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Kelly and Sinema’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests up to $108 billion to support federal public transportation programs, including nearly $2 billion over five years for the Buses and Bus Facilities Program.
“The impact of our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to be seen across Arizona,” said Kelly. “This investment in Tucson’s city bus facility will upgrade aging lifts and create heat resilient bus stops—allowing for the citizens of Tucson to travel safely and comfortably.”
“Today’s investments will support Tucson’s city bus facility — expanding access and ease to public transportation for Tucsonans. I’m proud my bipartisan infrastructure law continues to deliver real results to everyday Arizonans,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“I am grateful for Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s ongoing advocacy for the City of Tucson’s climate adaptation program,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “This $11.3 million grant award from the Federal Transit Administration will allow us to install trees and green infrastructure to make stops cooler, safer, and more accessible. We will also replace aging bus lifts and update signs at more than 500 bus stops throughout the community. The dedication of our Senators to making Tucson transit a more sustainable and inclusive system is so appreciated.”
In May, Kelly and Sinema sent a letter urging the Department of Transportation to support the City of Tucson’s application for the Buses and Bus Facilities Program. In their letter, the senators noted that the investment would be a significant milestone in the City of Tucson’s efforts to combat the effects of climate change and rising temperatures on the public transit system and its riders.
With much of Arizona experiencing temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the $11,385,600 will ensure bus stops are more heat resilient, provide better shelter and added relief for public transit users, and greatly improve the safety and comfort of riders who rely on public transportation.
Kelly and Sinema’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes the strongest investment ever in American public transit with $39.2 billion to expand transit systems, increase accessibility, and fund the nation’s transit system repair backlog, estimated at more than 24,000 buses; 5,000 rail cars; 200 stations; and thousands of miles of track, signals, and power systems—and the biggest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. Last year, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivered $176 million for Arizona public transportation.
Kelly and Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that included senators from both parties.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.
