(Lawrenceville, Ga., Nov. 20, 2009) - 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 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for operating expenses. Gwinnett commissioners voted Tuesday to take advantage of the new provision by shifting previous allocations from other categories.

The total ARRA 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.

Board Chairman Charles Bannister said, "We're grateful for these stimulus funds at a time when we're cutting expenses. This money allows us to continue meeting the needs of our citizens in our community who need public transportation to get around."

Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) last winter to jump start the national economy after the recession hit last fall.