Senator Roy Blunt Applauds Nearly $8 Million Grant For Kansas City Bus Operations Center

Press release from the Office of Sen. Roy Blunt:

August 6, 2020

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, today applauded the Department of Transportation’s announcement that it has awarded a $7.98 million grant to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to modernize its regional Operations and Dispatch Center. Blunt previously sent a letter to DOT advocating for the grant.

“Maintaining a safe, reliable, efficient bus system in Kansas City is critical for people to get where they need to go – whether it’s work, a doctor’s appointment, or the grocery store,” said Blunt.

“It’s also an important part of sustaining the local economy, especially during this challenging time. I appreciate Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s support for this project, and the hard work KCATA did to make this application successful. I also thank all of the transit employees in Kansas City and across Missouri for the important work they do every day in
the communities they serve.”

“On behalf of the entire RideKC family, I would like to sincerely thank Senator Blunt and other delegation members for their leadership and continued support and commitment to public transportation,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA president & CEO.

“This grant will allow us to make much needed improvements to our 1970’s-built operations center that supports RideKC’s regional operations, and help create a more energy efficient and healthy workplace for our employees.”

The grant funding announced today was provided through the Blunt-backed FY2020 government funding bill.

This press release was produced by the Office of Sen. Roy Blunt. The views expressed here are the author’s own.