Himes, Finch Announce Transit Loot

From Jim Himes:

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) and Mayor Bill Finch today announced a $1,167,945 grant award to the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBT) under the Federal Transit Administration’s State of Good Repair Program. Funding will be used for repair and replacement of the roof at GBT’s maintenance and bus storage facility. This project is part of a larger capital improvement program for expanding and improving the facility.

“Really improving our mass transit is key to our economic competitiveness and to our quality of life,” said Himes. “This award will help GBT improve its services, which are integral to bringing people to work. This award will also put people back to work by creating over 50 direct private sector jobs.”

Himes worked closely with GBT and the Federal Transit Administration to secure funding for this grant that will help GBT complete an initial phase of a long-term improvement effort that will reduce operating costs of the maintenance facility. By maintaining the existing facility in a state of good repair, GBT will be able to prepare for the installation of a photovoltaic power generation system and a vegetative roof.

“Greater Bridgeport Transit has been a leader in ‘going green,’ and this project will demonstrate to other businesses the economic and cultural benefits of reducing their carbon footprint while lowering their bottom line operating costs,” said Mayor Finch. “We are grateful to Congressman Himes, and our entire Washington delegation, for their help in securing these funds for our City’s transportation partner.”

This investment will allow GBT to build a new green roof with a photovoltaic system. The new roof will prevent water damage, increase the building efficiency and incorporate innovative design elements Combined, these new elements will result in an amortized electricity savings of $52,000 per year; produce 316,000 kWh annually – the equivalent of removing 133 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year; reduce winter heating and summer cooling loads by as much as 25 percent; and, retain 70 percent of rain water, rather than burdening the current storm water system.

“This project is the first phase in a large, long-term plan to ensure that GBT can continue to expand public transportation in Bridgeport,” said Ron Kilcoyne, CEO of Greater Bridgeport Transit. “The roof replacement sets the stage for the installation of a photovoltaic power generation system and a green roof which will further help reduce the environmental impact of our operation and our operating costs. We are grateful for the support of the FTA, ConnDOT, our community partners and Congressman Himes.”

This project was selected on a competitive basis through a new transit initiative announced in May 2010 by the Federal Transit Administration called the State of Good Repair Program.

Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority is the provider of fixed route and demand response bus services in the Greater Bridgeport Region, encompassing a 155 square mile area. GBT operates 19 local and express routes providing approximately 5.1 million trips annually. All GBT services pulse from the Downtown Bridgeport Intermodal Transportation Center, which includes direct connections to Amtrak, Metro North, and the Bridgeport / Port Jefferson Ferry.