Press Releases

Luzerne County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,700,000 grant to the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. The funds will be distributed via the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure grant program makes federal resources available to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment. Luzerne County Transportation Authority will use the funding to purchase four new 35-foot Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) replacement buses. The purchase of new buses helps increase the availability of clean, efficient, and reliable public transportation options for transit-dependent and choice riders across Luzerne County. 

“An investment in public transportation is an investment in employment,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I will continue to support improving our transportation systems in the 17^th Congressional District; funding of this kind keeps people working, supports small businesses, and helps the economy grow.”

“We are excited to be able to replace four buses in our aging fleet and are thankful to Congressman Cartwright and our federal officials for their help,” said Norm Gavlick, executive director, Luzerne County Transportation Authority. “We are extremely grateful for the funds needed to replace transit buses that are fifteen years old and are long past their useful life. We look forward to replacing even more of our fleet in the near future.”

Transit services supported by FTA span many groups and provide wide-ranging benefits. Since 1964, FTA has partnered with state and local governments to create and enhance public transportation systems, investing more than $12 billion annually to support and expand public rail, bus, trolley, ferry and other transit services. That investment has helped modernize public transportation and extended service into small cities and rural communities that previously lacked transit options.