2 Va. transit agencies get $14M in stimulus money

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two small transit agencies in northern Virginia have received nearly $14 million in federal stimulus money.

Nearly $10 million will go to Virginia Railway Express, while the rest will go to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission. It’s the first stimulus money either agency has received.

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber says the commuter rail carrier plans to use most of the money to help fund the purchase of 12 locomotives, which cost a total of $44 million. About $100,000 will be used to extend the canopy at the Manassas Park station.

PRTC, which provides bus service from Prince William County, says it plans to add two buses to its 126-bus fleet and build new bus shelters.

PRTC has about 13,000 riders daily. VRE served about 15,600 riders a day in July.