WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming a total of $74,773,262 in formula funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that will be made available to transit agencies and communities in New Mexico to support public transportation.
New Mexico is receiving the funding through FTA formula programs in Fiscal Year 2023, which includes funding from both the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, advance appropriations provided by the Infrastructure Law, and annual appropriations.
“New Mexico continues to benefit from the federal transit investments Democrats fought to pass in the Infrastructure Law,” said Heinrich. “I am proud to see these and additional funds I helped secure during the appropriations process support and expand public transit services in our state.”
“Safe and reliable transportation is vital for every community throughout New Mexico,” said Luján. “I’m glad this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest more than $74 million to support public transportation in New Mexico, ensuring safe transit for passengers while traveling throughout the Land of Enchantment.”
“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest billions of dollars in our roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects across our communities,” said Leger Fernández. “These funds provide resources to support access to public transportation in New Mexico. Let’s continue to rebuild so we can thrive.”
“I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is continuing to deliver for New Mexico by sending over $74.7 million to expand equitable, safe public transportation for our communities and help us meet our climate goals,” said Stansbury. “This funding will help to support sustainable public transit for every New Mexican as we continue our work to get this historic funding out the door to our communities.”
“When nearly 1 in 3 roads are rated poor condition by the U.S. Army of Corp of Engineers, New Mexico needs every dollar it can get,” said Vasquez. “That is why I am proud to announce an investment of $74.7 million dollars for infrastructure improvements across our stat—including public transit— and look forward to continuing to secure more much-needed federal funds for my constituents.”
FTA provides grants to local public transit systems and partners with state and local governments to create and enhance public transportation systems. The Infrastructure Law authorized up to $108 billion for public transportation, the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation’s history.