Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee announced today that the Federal Transit Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has authorized the release of $185,861 of the FY 2004 Transportation Appropriations earmark for Flint Mass Transit Authority.  Kildee helped secure a $750,000 earmark for the popular Job Access Reverse Commute Program in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations Conference Report, which was included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill.  The first portion of the FY04 earmark ($557,584) was released in August 2004.

“I am delighted that another portion of the funds that I helped secure are going to be released to help finance the Flint MTA Reverse Commute Program,” said Kildee.  “High quality public transit is vital to our community because it provides transportation to low-income workers that contribute to our local economy.  By providing more efficient and reliable services, the use of Flint MTA commuter services will continue to grow and expand.”

In January 2004, Kildee’s funding requests were included in the federal Transportation Appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2004, which was approved by Congress and signed into law.  The U.S. Department of Transportation has authorized the release of $743,445 of the $750,000 Kildee earmark to the Flint Mass Transportation Authority.  The remaining balance will be used to cover the administrative costs associated with the earmark.  The Flint MTA will use the new federal funds to expand its popular Reverse Commute Program.  By ensuring efficient, reliable transportation of workers to jobs, the reverse commute venture has been of benefit to both employers and employees.