NH Delegation Welcomes Historic $24.3M to Support Public Transit Updates in NH

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), today welcomed a record-level $24,352,874 to modernize and expand transit across the state. The funding comes in part from the Shaheen and Hassan-negotiated bipartisan infrastructure law, which provides the largest investment in transit ever. Funding also comes from the FY 2022 appropriations bill that was signed into law last month, which Shaheen helped write as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“I’m thrilled to see record-level funding heading to New Hampshire to update our transit systems. Granite Staters rely on public transit to help them get to work, get groceries, go to school and other essential everyday tasks. These updates are a critical opportunity to make our transportation safer and more efficient, while simultaneously reducing pollution and addressing the climate crisis,” said Senator Shaheen. “The bipartisan infrastructure law that I helped negotiate is a once-in-a-generation investment in our communities, which coupled with the FY2022 funding bill, is bringing historic funding to New Hampshire. I’m excited to see these transportation dollars in action.”

“Public transit can help reduce traffic, bring down costs for commuters, and reduce pollution, which is why we worked to significantly increase funding in transit programs when crafting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Hassan. “The transit funding announced today is the latest investment stemming from this bill to come to New Hampshire – together, these new investments are key to helping New Hampshire families and small businesses thrive.”

“Our communities and our economy are made stronger by reliable and durable roads, bridges, and highways – I am thrilled to see record levels of federal resources heading to New Hampshire to strengthen our state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Rep. Kuster. “I was proud to advocate for these dollars in the bipartisan infrastructure law and government funding package, and will continue working to bolster our Granite State transportation networks for generations to come.”

“Investments delivered through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will expand access to safe, sustainable public transit by ensuring New Hampshire can both purchase new vehicles and make much needed repairs to our existing fleets,” said Congressman Chris Pappas, member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “These funds will support American manufacturing and create jobs by enforcing strong Buy American requirements that I have advocated for in my two terms on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Moving forward, I’ll continue to advocate for these investments to ensure the safety and reliability of our infrastructure, as well as the strength of our economy.”

This new funding will support transit agencies to finance new buses and railcars, address repair backlogs, modernize fleets and transition to new technologies to address the climate crisis. More information is available here.

Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the historic infrastructure bill, leading provisions on broadband and water infrastructure. Last June, Shaheen joined President Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators to announce the framework of the package. Shaheen joined members of the bipartisan group on the Senate floor to unveil bill text of the legislation in August. Shaheen is also a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and secured key New Hampshire priorities through the FY 2022 government funding legislation. Shaheen has long fought to bring federal dollars back to New Hampshire to invest in critical transportation and infrastructure projects to fix Granite State roads, rail, bridges and waterways. 

Hassan, also a member of the bipartisan group negotiating the infrastructure bill, helped secure provisions for transit and passenger rail funding. She also led negotiations for key provisions that address coastal resiliency, high-speed internet expansion, and cybersecurity. 

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