Congresswoman Angie Craig Announces $2.8 Million Grant for Burnsville Bus Garage

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig announced $2.8 million in grants will go to improve and modernize the Burnsville Bus Garage. The Burnsville Bus Garage is part of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, which provides public transportation services in Dakota and Scott counties. Rep. Craig has previously toured this site and wrote to the Federal Transit Administration in March in support of this funding.

"I'm honored to announce that the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority will receive necessary funds to modernize and keep the Burnsville Bus Garage running," said Rep. Craig. "These funds will ensure that hardworking Minnesotans in Dakota and Scott Counties have reliable and consistent transportation options."

"Investing in safe and modern transportation options in Greater Minnesota helps people live independently and stay connected with their communities," said MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. "MnDOT is grateful to our transit system partners across the state who helped advocate for the funding, and to the Federal Transit Administration for providing matching funds to replace buses with safer, more efficient models."

"The Burnsville Bus Garage modernization has been a high priority for the agency for many years," according to Minnesota Valley Transit Authority Chief Executive Officer Luther Wynder. "The facility was originally constructed as a manufacturing plant and has been in a significant state of deficiency. A 2018 study found that the garage ranked last in terms of facility conditions in the Twin Cities region. We're tremendously thankful for the support of local, state and congressional elected officials, including U.S Rep. Angie Craig, for helping make this facility modernization possible."

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program (49 U.S.C. 5339) makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities.

The Metropolitan Council will receive funding on behalf of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) to improve and modernize the Burnsville Bus Garage. The project will allow MVTA, which provides transit service to Twin Cities suburbs in Dakota and Scott counties, to improve safety and efficiency and accommodate future fleet and service expansions.

In a separate Bus Facilities Grant, the Minnesota State Department of Transportation will also receive $4.4 million in funding to purchase new buses for rural transit agencies throughout the state and the Second Congressional District. The new buses, which will replace aging vehicles that have exceeded their useful life, will improve service reliability and feature new technology that improves safety for passengers.

Rep. Craig is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where she has continuously fought for investments in roads, bridges and broadband.