Deerfield Valley Transit Association Wins $496,000 Grant For New Public Buses, With Help From Leahy

August 05, 1999

The Deerfield Valley Transit Association was awarded a $496,000 federal grant to purchase six new public transportation buses, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Leahy, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, included a provision in last year's budget for the federal Department of Transportation strongly urging the department to fund the request of the Deerfield Valley Transit Association. After the Fiscal Year 1999 transportation budget became law last year, Leahy continued to prod the department to award the grant for the transit association, and, late Wednesday afternoon, the senator's office received word that a $496,248 grant was officially approved. The grant will be used to purchase six new buses -- intended to help maintain public transportation service for the elderly and disabled in rural areas -- and begin the design phase of a new intermodal bus terminal.

"These funds will help Deerfield Valley update their fleet of public transportation buses," said Leahy. "Many Vermonters depend on these buses as their only source of transportation, so maintaining reliable, safe and continuous service is a must. This grant will help the Deerfield Valley Transit Association do just that."

The Deerfield Valley Transit Association, a rural public transit provider located in West Dover, plans to use the new buses to replace their aging fleet, which has reached or are now reaching the end of their life span. Though ridership has slightly declined this year due to the poor ski season, the number of riders jumped from 268,427 in the first year to 429,666 in second year. The transit association provides bus service north and south of the intersection of Routes 9 and 100 through Wilmington and Dover into the Mount Snow Resort areas.

Local contact: Leona Linney -- 802-464-8487 (Deerfield Valley Transit Assocation)