Gottheimer announces new $500K federal investment clawed back to Sussex County to improve public transportation for seniors, veterans, local residents
New Federal Investment Clawed Back to Sussex County for Five New Buses
SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Tuesday announced a new $500,000 federal investment clawed back from Washington to Sussex County for new buses for public transportation for seniors, veterans, disabled residents, residents looking for work, or residents trying to get to and from jobs, post-secondary education, or career and technical training.
The new $500,000 federal investment will go toward five new extended cutaway buses, each of which includes space for sixteen passengers plus two wheelchairs — greatly improving and updating Sussex County’s fleet and public transportation for vulnerable populations all across Sussex.
Sussex County’s Office of Transit provides more than 65,000 rides each year to Sussex residents through both public transportation and paratransit services. These services include everything from assisted transportation and employment transportation, to transportation for our disabled residents, brave veterans, and senior citizens. Sussex County currently has a fleet of 25 buses. Unfortunately, some of the fleet’s oldest buses have more than 250,000 miles on them.
“There is nothing more important in this job than my responsibility to have the backs of those who have served our great country and our seniors who have made invaluable contributions to our community. Please know this: after sacrificing so much and after working your whole lives to support your families and communities, you should not struggle to access the care and resources you’ve earned. These are not Democratic or Republican issues — they are good for America issues,” Gottheimer said. “Unfortunately, here in Sussex County, many residents — including seniors, veterans, disabled residents, and those looking for work — have trouble getting to and from job opportunities, grocery and retail stores, doctors’ appointments, and more.”
“After working closely with Sussex County and the Commissioners, I formally requested that the County’s Office of Transit receive a direct federal investment to help solve this problem. Today, I am proud to announce that we’ve now successfully clawed back a new $500,000 federal investment to Sussex County for their Elderly, Veteran, and Employment Services Transportation Services — a huge win for seniors, veterans, and residents all across Sussex County,” Gottheimer said.
Gottheimer was joined on Newton Green today by Newton Councilman Matthew Dickson, Sussex County Administrator Ron Tappan, local residents, and law enforcement.
Gottheimer is helping lower taxes for North Jersey families by clawing back our federal tax dollars to Jersey from Washington to make life more affordable and safer, and to improve our communities. Gottheimer recently announced that New Jersey’s Fifth District has clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since he took office. For 2021 alone, the federal tax dollars clawed back amount to an average savings of more than $750 for each household in the Fifth District.
Through Gottheimer’s work with mayors, councils, first responders, and nonprofits, the Fifth District has realized a far better Return on Investment on the tax dollars North Jersey residents send to Washington every year.
