The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) is among the Kentucky transit systems to receive part of Kentucky’s share of federal dollars for public transportation systems.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration will distribute $75,398,710 to Kentucky in the current fiscal year.
The money was made possible through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act pushed by President Joe Biden and approved by Congress last year.
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) supported the bill with only Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) joining him from the Kentucky delegation. Senator Rand Paul, Northern Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, and four other Republican members of the House voted against the bill.
McConnell’s office, in an announcement, noted that this is the first round of funding that the state will receive over the next five years for transit projects.
McConnell celebrated the announcement in a news release, calling it “an important boost for Kentucky’s infrastructure development.”
“Both large and small communities in the commonwealth will soon have the federal dollars necessary to overhaul their transit systems, allowing them to introduce new low-cost transportation options while reducing traffic and congestion,” McConnell said. “I proudly supported the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because I know how important it is for Kentucky to have modern, efficient transit options available.”
TANK was joined by representatives from transit authorities in Louisville in Lexington in celebrating the funds.
“TANK is extremely appreciative of Senator McConnell’s support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said TANK General Manager Andrew Aiello. “The increase in federal transit funding will allow TANK to maintain essential public transportation services, provide access to jobs, replace aging buses, and keep our transportation technology up-to-date. Public transportation plays a critical role in our region’s economic recovery and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a significant boost, just when our community needs it most.”