The Whatcom Transportation Authority will receive a $974,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase three new buses, according to a March 27 announcement from Rep. Rick Larsen’s office.

“Investments in public transportation are critical to create jobs and keep our economy moving forward,” Larsen said. “Transportation investments like these new buses improve our infrastructure and make commuting easier for Whatcom County residents. Infrastructure investments like these are the reason I am fighting for a long-term, robust transportation bill in Congress.”

Larsen also reiterated his call for a long-term federal transportation bill. Larsen was part of a group bipartisan lawmakers who wrote a letter to House of Representatives leaders March 26 calling for a vote on a two-year transportation authorization bill that has already passed the Senate.

“Another day and another delay on legislation to create jobs and invest in our infrastructure,” the congressman said. “Every day we wait is another day that out-of-work construction workers are uncertain about whether we will be able to break ground on transportation projects. We have an opportunity to pass the bipartisan Senate transportation bill right away. That bill would support tens of thousands of jobs in Washington state by investing directly in our critical infrastructure. Instead of trying for yet another short term extension, I call on House leaders to move forward with the Senate bill immediately.”