SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is excited to see Decatur and Springfield transit systems receive more than $20 million in federal assistance to increase efficiency and gas emissions of their buses.

The United States Department of Transportation awarded $1.7 billion in grants for low- and no-emission buses and bus facilities programs – and Illinois transit systems received $71.1 million of the funding.

“Decatur and Springfield’s public transit systems help residents get to work, access medical care and connect our communities,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This assistance will help upgrade local buses, decrease vehicle emissions and train staff to operate and maintain these new vehicles.”

Decatur Public Transit System is set to receive $16,840,000 and Springfield Mass Transit District will receive $5,927,788.  The federal funding, distributed among 150 grants, will fund more than 1,800 new buses, about 1,100 of which will be zero-emission vehicles.

For more information about this program visit www.transit.dot.gov/1800buses.

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