1/24/2014
Contact: Angela Gates
202-366-3669

CHOCTAW, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today celebrated the opening of the new Choctaw Regional Maintenance Facility, which will improve the maintenance and operations of Choctaw Transit’s fleet of 40 vehicles and ensure reliable transit service for tribal members and other residents in East Mississippi. FTA provided approximately $2.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds toward the $2.5 million facility. Remaining funds were provided by Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

“The Obama Administration is committed to providing Americans with more “ladders of opportunity” – transportation options that connect residents to jobs and greater economic opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This new transit facility will ensure that thousands of local Choctaw residents will continue to have a reliable ride to get to work, school, medical appointments and elsewhere.”

Choctaw Transit is operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and serves approximately 10,000 members of the tribe, as well as individuals in the surrounding communities. Service is provided to East Central Community College in Decatur and Meridian Community College, as well as other destinations in Meridian, Jackson and neighboring counties.

“Access to affordable public transit is a lifeline for hard-working families, students and seniors in rural communities across the country,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan. “We are proud to invest in this new facility to improve mobility for members of the Choctaw tribe and other residents traveling to East Central and Meridian community colleges, and other destinations in East Mississippi.”

FTA Regional Administrator Yvette Taylor joined Tribal Chief Phyliss Anderson and other MDOT officials at a ribbon cutting event.