New Mexico DOT grants $12.1M for transit projects

New Mexico's Department of Transportation will award more than $12.1 million in federal transit grants throughout the state.

"Last year the Department received a boost of approximately $26.5 million worth of Recovery funds, and we are pleased to see additional funding coming to the state," Transportation Secretary Gary L.J. Girón said.

Public transit passenger trips statewide total more than 15.2 million trips in 2009, and rural public transit trips have grown by 26 percent, reaching 1.4 million trips.

FTA grants for Fiscal Year 2011 will be awarded in the following transit programs:

• $9.5 million for rural public transit (FTA Sections 5309 and 5311) to 24 rural public transit systems throughout the state
• More than $1.3 million for buses and vans to 16 organizations to provide transportation to elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities (FTA Section 5310)
• $750,000 to organizations and transit systems to operate job access and reverse commute transportation (FTA Section 5316)
• More than $288,000 to transit systems for operations and capital for the new freedom program that supports public transportation services and alternatives that go beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (FTA Section 5317)

The federal grant funds are matched by $7.6 million in funds from local governments and other eligible matching sources.