May 12, 2009 — The territory is slated to receive $815,705 in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Delegate Donna M. Christensen announced in a recent press release.
Of that total, $392,000 comes from a Federal Transit Capital Investment Grant to help buy equipment for the territory's VITRAN bus service. The Public Works Department plans to use this money along with other grants to purchase two 30-foot VITRAN buses.
Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls said that the two buses are part of a planned purchase of up to eight buses for the VITRAN fleet.
"The number of buses is subject to change because we don't know what the bids will be," he said.
The second grant for $345,384 is part of the State and Community Highway Safety Grants program. It was awarded as a provision of a coordinated national highway safety program to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries and property damage.
The third grant of $78,321 is intended to encourage states and territories to adopt effective programs to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting from individuals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor vehicles. This grant comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration section of the Department of Transportation as part of the Occupant Protection Incentive Grants.
Smalls had no information on the second and third grants and referred questions to the Police Department. Police spokeswoman Melody Rames referred questions to the grants section, where no one could be reached for comment.
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