Norton to Ride Metrorail to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Metro's New Hybrid Buses (09/13/2010)

Norton to Ride Metrorail to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Metro's New Hybrid Buses

September 13, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will deliver remarks today at 2:30 p.m. at Metro's Carmen Turner Facility, 3500 Pennsy Drive, Hyattsville, MD during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Metro's new diesel-electric hybrid Metrobuses and new MetroAccess vehicles. Prior to the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Norton will join Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD), Metro Board Chairman Peter Benjamin, and others in riding Metrorail to today's event. The group will travel from the Capitol South Metro Station to the New Carrollton Metro Station, where a new hybrid Metrobus will then shuttle them to the ribbon cutting ceremony.

"These new diesel-electric hybrid Metrobuses, which are already in service throughout the District, are significant first steps in Metro becoming active participants in the effort we have been making in my subcommittee to make Washington a green, environmentally friendly city," said Norton. "Circulating hybrid buses, modernizing Metro's technology, and continuing to encourage the use of public transportation are changes that can be done now, to ensure a greener society later."

As chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Norton has held a series of hearings on greening Washington and the National Capital Region, with particular emphasis on the Anacostia River. Energy conservation, alternative energy, and energy efficient technology have been a top priority of Norton's subcommittee, which oversees federal construction and leasing throughout the country.

Last year, Metro received nearly $202 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the federal government, of which $52 million was used to fund the purchase of 48 new diesel-electric hybrid buses, 80 new paratransit vehicles, and the construction of a new bus body and paint shop.

Among the other scheduled speakers are U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swain-Staley, District of Columbia Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein, Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton, Amalgamated Transit Union President Jackie Jeter, and Metro Interim General Manager Richard Sarles.