Lofgren, Panetta Announce Over $1.1 Million for New Buses in Santa Cruz County

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District received a $1,152,000 grant for its Paratransit Vehicle Replacement Project.

"This grant is going to make a big difference for Santa Cruz County residents," said Reps. Lofgren and Panetta. "We both proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, precisely because it boosted grant funding for programs like this. With this announcement, we're going to get newer, cleaner buses that are going to save money for Santa Cruz Metro. In Congress, we'll continue corresponding with the Department of Transportation and advocating for funds that improve transit for Californians."

"This grant is a tremendous win for our community. With these funds, METRO will replace six aging paratransit vehicles and expand our fleet with two additional vehicles, ensuring that more residents who rely on paratransit have access to safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation," said METRO Board Chair, Rebecca Downing. "The new vehicles will reduce operating costs, improve service quality, and help us meet growing demand across Santa Cruz County. We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Lofgren and Congressman Panetta for their steadfast support and advocacy for public transit. Their commitment to investing in cleaner, more accessible transportation makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve."

New vehicles will operate throughout the Santa Cruz County public transit network, serving eligible customers who are unable to use fixed route buses for some or all of their mass transportation trips. The new buses will significantly reduce METRO's operating costs due to lower maintenance costs and anticipated lower fuel costs compared to older buses.

The grant was made possible by the Federal Transit Administration's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Reps. Lofgren and Panetta both supported, provides nearly $2 billion over five years to help transit agencies replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and facilities.

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