October 19, 2009
Philadelphia, PA – Today, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) took part in announcing the procurement of 40 new hybrid buses by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Congressman Sestak was joined by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey, and SEPTA Board of Director Chairman Pasquale Deon at SEPTA’s Midvale Bus Depot in the Tioga/Nicetown section of Philadelphia for the announcement celebration. The purchase of the new environmentally friendly buses was one of thirty-two SEPTA projects aimed at improving the region’s transit infrastructure that were funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which Congressman Sestak voted for and was signed into law on February 17, 2009.
The 40 hybrid buses unveiled today are in addition to the 400 already being built for SEPTA by New Flyer of America based in Minneapolis. Congressman Sestak successfully secured $500,000 for SEPTA in the FY08 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill for the first 400 hybrid buses. The replacement of 440 buses in SEPTA’s fleet of nearly 1,400 with these diesel/electric hybrid vehicles is part of SEPTA’s investment in sustainability and environmentally responsible technologies and will help to further reduce harmful emissions and improving regional and national ambient air quality standards.
“Advancing our public transportation infrastructure is a critical step in the investment to improving the region’s long-term sustainability,” said Congressman Sestak. “Public transit is a vital part of any comprehensive strategy to address global climate change and I applaud SEPTA, the nation’s 6th largest transportation authority, for recognizing the importance of sustainable solutions and implementing them into their operations.”
Born and raised in Delaware County, former 3-star Admiral Joe Sestak served in the Navy for 31 years and now serves as the Representative from the 7th District of Pennsylvania. He led a series of operational commands at sea, including Commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships with over 15,000 sailors and 100 aircraft that conducted operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. After 9/11, the Congressman was the first Director of Deep Blue, the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit that established strategic and operations policies for the Global War on Terrorism. He served as President Clintons Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council in the White House, and holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. According to the office of the House Historian, Congressman Sestak is the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
Media Contact:
Jonathon Dworkin
jonathon.dworkin@mail.house.gov
610-892-8623