Caltrans awarded approximately $350 million in grants to improve public transit across California. An estimated 80 projects will upgrade transit service, purchase eco-friendly buses, modernize transit stations and create jobs throughout the state.

The grants are funded through Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, which is providing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period to improve public transit in California.

“These projects are a direct investment in our state's public transit system and will help energize California’s economy,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Not only will these projects help create jobs, they will also reduce traffic congestion, clean the air, and provide Californians with more viable alternatives to rising gas prices.”

Some of the notable projects awarded Proposition 1B funding include:

PLUMAS COUNTY:

Plumas County Transportation Commission was awarded $205,000. The county will purchase a new transit bus, as a 13-year-old bus is ready for retirement. In addition, the county is designing and constructing permanent bus storage, and a parking facility on Plumas County property. Plumas County currently rents space from another company.

SHASTA COUNTY:

Redding Area Bus Authority was awarded $962,000. These funds were awarded to work on passenger accessibility and loading, purchasing a new transit bus and a bus parking canopy.

To date, Proposition 1B has provided $1.7 billion in funding to more than 700 transit projects statewide, with 216 completed.

For a comprehensive list of all projects that received transit grants in this funding cycle, click here.