10/28/2013
Contact: Angela Gates
202-366-3669

LORTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today participated in the groundbreaking of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Cinder Bed Road Bus Facility that will help improve transit service for thousands of Metrobus riders in Northern Virginia.  FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff joined Congressman Jim Moran and officials from Fairfax County, Alexandria and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) at the event.   

“We have to keep buses, equipment and facilities in good shape if people are going to be able to rely on transit to get to work, school or other important appointments on time,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This new bus facility is an excellent example of how investing in 21st century transportation options will better meet the needs of today’s riders and of future generations.”

The new bus facility will replace an outdated and deteriorating bus garage that was originally built in 1945. The state-of-the-art facility will feature new and more reliable equipment to improve the maintenance of 160 buses and accommodate newer, alternative fuel buses that require space and equipment that doesn’t exist at the current garage.

“The Washington region’s Metrobus service is one of the busiest operations in the nation, providing nearly half a million rides each weekday,” said Administrator Rogoff. “This facility is an investment in both the future of transit serving fast-growing Northern Virginia and the transit workers we depend on to keep a modern, efficient transit fleet in good working order.”

WMATA expects to use approximately $58 million in FTA formula funds toward the $85 million project. The remaining cost will be covered by state and local funding sources. The new facility is expected to open in 2015.