5/15/2015
Contact: Angela Gates
(202) 366-3669

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was in Los Angeles today to tour the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Division 13 Bus Maintenance and Operations Facility, a new, state-of-the-art facility that will significantly improve bus service in the heart of the city.

Secretary Foxx was joined by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, LACMTA CEO Phillip Washington and local officials to discuss the importance of investing in public transportation projects that create ladders of opportunity for local residents. Secretary Foxx has been touring projects throughout the country to highlight our nation’s third annual Infrastructure Week, which brings together thousands of stakeholders across the country to highlight the importance of investing in America’s infrastructure, and to encourage Congress to act on a long-term transportation bill.

“Public transportation provides critical support to hardworking Americans trying to access jobs, medical care, education and other vital services,” said Secretary Foxx. “We must continue to invest in our nation’s transportation infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable travel options that meet the needs of today’s riders, as well as for future generations.”

Earlier this year, the Obama Administration announced a plan to address the infrastructure deficit with a $478 billion, six-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal – the GROW AMERICA Act. The plan makes critical investments in infrastructure needed to promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety and efficiency, and support jobs for the 21st century. Under the Act, California would receive $6.2 billion for highway and transit projects.

In addition, U.S. DOT released a landmark study earlier this year, titled “Beyond Traffic,” that looked at the trends and choices facing American transportation over the next three decades. These included a rapidly growing population, demographic and migratory shifts in rural and urban areas, increasing freight volume, innovations to enhance safety and efficiency, and a transportation system that’s facing more frequent extreme weather events. According to the report, on average, Americans spent 40 hours per week stuck in traffic at an estimated annual loss of approximately $120 billion. A key takeaway of the study is that more investment in transportation is needed for the sake of future generations, and the proposals included in GROW AMERICA support that goal.

“With continued transit ridership and population growth expected in greater Los Angeles in the years ahead, additional transportation investments are essential,” said FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan. “Bus service is an important transit option for millions of Angelinos who need and deserve 21st century transportation alternatives to driving in traffic.”

LACMTA’s Division 13 bus facility will serve as a bus maintenance, operations and service facility in downtown Los Angeles, and will accommodate 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and fueling equipment. The facility, which incorporates many sustainable design features, is currently under construction and expected to open this fall.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) contributed $53.25 million in federal funding toward the $120 million total project cost.

Investments like LACMTA’s new bus facility are vital to meet the transportation needs of the nation and to support local economic development.