Doug Jones announces $3.6 Million grant for Birmingham bus system
The Birmingham public transit system is getting a much needed financial boost this year, a $3.6 million boost at that. The planned improvements to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) endeavor to provide easier access to areas of Birmingham for those who use it daily, and those who visit the city. U.S. Senator Doug Jones announced the grant on Thursday. “Safe, reliable public transportation is important for any city, but it’s especially critical for Birmingham as it prepares to host the 2021 World Games. Beyond that event, these grant funds will benefit the citizens of Birmingham who rely on public transit to go about their daily lives,” Jones said in a statement. The U.S. Department of Transportation says the money will be used by the BJCTA to replace the old buses that have outlived their usefulness. The Transit Authority says that the new vehicles will provide improved reliability and will reduce maintenance and other costs. One of the reasons the Transportation Department chose to improve the bus service in Birmingham was because of the city’s upcoming role as the host to the 2021 World Games, an Olympic-style event expected to bring thousands of people to the region. Alabama was one of 139 other beneficiaries, selected from over 50 states and territories to receive the grant funds. The funding will be distributed through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. A program that helps communities replace and rehabilitate old buses, and purchase new buses.
Public transportation bill moves through state legislature
Alabama is one of only five states with no state funding for public transportation. A bipartisan pair of state legislators is hoping to soon change that. Birmingham-Democrat state Sen. Rodger Smitherman and Vestavia-Republican state Rep. Jack Williams have each sponsored legislation, SB85 and HB10 accordingly, that would create the Alabama Public Transportation Trust Fund to fund activities that increase public transportation options across the state. According to the proposed legislation, the fund would be maintained and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). ADECA would make its decisions based off of recommendations made by a 13-member advisory committee. Alabama Arise — a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of congregations, organizations and individuals promoting public policies to improve the lives of low-income Alabamians — is one of the voices who has come out support of the legislation. The organization held a press conference at the State House on Tuesday, as part of their 2018 Legislative Day, advocating on the legislation’s behalf. “Alabama Arise has been working on this since the 1990s, when people were transitioning from welfare to work. That transportation aspect has been the hardest part,” said Kimble Forester, executive director of Alabama Arise. “This is one area where we have gone backwards. Public transportation is in the future.” The trust fund would be supported by state funds and would also allow the state to apply for federal public transportation grants. “The state loses out on millions of dollars of transportation dollars every day. We are supporting legislation this year by Senator Rodger Smitherman and Rep. Jack Williams,” added Alice Paris, chair of Alabama Arise’s legislative committee. The Senate voted 26-0 for Smitherman’s bill in late January. Meanwhile, Williams’ bill won overwhelming House committee approval earlier in the month and is now awaiting a full House vote.
