Smardz helps obtain more money for the NFTA
Saturday May 5, 2012 | By:Press Release |
New York Assemblyman Kevin Smardz has obtained additional funding in this year’s New York state budget for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. The transportation budget includes a $2.9 million increase in direct aid for the NFTA and funding from another capital grant that could include as much as $3 million. This increase in funding will boost overall state aid for the NFTA to at least $44.9 million in the coming year.
“As gas prices continue to skyrocket, residents are becoming increasingly dependent on public transportation to help make ends meet,” said Smardz. “This additional aid for the NFTA is exciting for residents across the district. The NFTA can now use this money to restore routes and potentially reduce the proposed fair hike. I want to especially advocate for restoration of the routes in Gowanda and Boston, which are critical for residents in those communities.
“During the public meetings, I was vocal in my support for restoration of the routes. I was pleased that several of the routes in my district that had been slated for cuts, now have been restored. Given the approval of this additional aid, there is no excuse not to restore these vital routes,” Smardz added.
A series of public hearings were held over the past few months, in which residents were able to express their concerns regarding route reduction. Recently, the NFTA approved a 25 cent fair increase, which could be worth as much as $5 million.
“As gas prices continue to skyrocket, residents are becoming increasingly dependent on public transportation to help make ends meet,” said Smardz. “This additional aid for the NFTA is exciting for residents across the district. The NFTA can now use this money to restore routes and potentially reduce the proposed fair hike. I want to especially advocate for restoration of the routes in Gowanda and Boston, which are critical for residents in those communities.
“During the public meetings, I was vocal in my support for restoration of the routes. I was pleased that several of the routes in my district that had been slated for cuts, now have been restored. Given the approval of this additional aid, there is no excuse not to restore these vital routes,” Smardz added.
A series of public hearings were held over the past few months, in which residents were able to express their concerns regarding route reduction. Recently, the NFTA approved a 25 cent fair increase, which could be worth as much as $5 million.
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