Stimulus funds boost Gwinnett Transit

Federal stimulus funds will help subsidize Gwinnett Transit operating costs to the tune of $970,512 under provisions of a bill President Obama signed into law last June. The law now allows using up to 10 percent of transportation-related stimulus funds for operating expenses. Gwinnett commissioners voted Tuesday to take advantage of the new provision by shifting previous allocations from other categories.

The total stimulus grant for Gwinnett Transit was $9.4 million. Tuesday’s action shifts $970,515 from funds previously allotted for bus stop shelters and building bus stop access sidewalks with $1,313,000 remaining for these projects. It also includes $3.3 million for bus technology and security projects, $3.7 million to rehabilitate 28 30-foot and 40-foot compressed natural gas powered local service buses and approximately $161,500 to replace two paratransit service buses.