Senators announce funding for new Missoula buses

Baucus, Tester say stimulus bill will fund four new Mountain Line buses

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – The City of Missoula will receive more than $1.2 million to replace four Mountain Line buses, Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester announced today.

Mountain Line will receive $1,223,604 from the recently passed Jobs-stimulus Bill to purchase four 30-foot “low-floor” buses.

Both Baucus and Tester helped write and voted for the Jobs-stimulus Bill, which is investing more than $1 billion in Montana to create jobs and rebuild Montana’s economy.

Mountain Line General Manager Steve Earle said the City of Missoula will be ordering new buses next Monday.

“Mountain Line and the people of Missoula are really excited about this announcement,” said Earle said. “We can’t wait. We’re operating old equipment and need new buses with room. We really appreciate the efforts of Senator and Baucus and Senator for their work to make sure Missoula got a piece of this funding.”

“This is good news for the Garden City because it will go a long way in serving people who rely on safe, affordable and reliable transportation,” said Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. “Buses are important for people to get to work, get health care, and to do business in the community.”

“This will create jobs by investing in Missoula and the people who live and work there,” said Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Good, reliable bus systems are part of the infrastructure we need to rebuild our economy.