Rendell Administration Makes Public Transit Funds Available for Persons Entering the Workforce.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- HARRISBURG, Pa., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The secretaries of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) today announced grants totaling $10 million to make public transportation services available to people entering the workforce.

"The inability to get to and from work is one of the greatest obstacles facing low-income working people," said PENNDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E.

"This program helps people move toward lives of self sufficiency by increasing access to jobs in areas outside of regular public transit," said DPW Secretary Estelle Richman. "We are happy to provide the tools necessary to make the transition from welfare to work as smooth as possible."

The grants enable local partnerships of elected officials, transportation providers, employers and county assistance offices to develop creative approaches to ensure local transportation services for individuals entering the workforce.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) received $3.75 million, which qualifies it for an equal amount of matching funds from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Job Access and Reverse Commute Program.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County received $2.5 million and a matching amount from the FTA.

Also receiving the FTA matching funds are Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, $40,000; Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority, $125,000; and Red Rose Transit, Lancaster, $140,000.