By james art 
Air pollution affects some Americans more than others. That’s why.
Four out of 10 Americans breathe polluted air every day, and some bear this burden more than others. That’s why.
The Victor Valley County and San Bernardino County Transportation Authorities will share a portion of the $206 million funding pie to expand bus and rail service in underserved communities.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced that Caltrans will provide funding for 149 local, clean transportation projects to reduce pollution, especially in disadvantaged communities across the state.
Funding announced that the state’s total investment in these projects has exceeded $1 billion over the past decade.
“Thanks to California’s cap-and-trade program, cleaner transit is coming to communities hit hardest by pollution,” Newsom said. “With more than $1 billion invested in clean transportation in our communities, we’re improving the health and daily lives of countless Californians.”
That funding is made possible through the California Climate Investment Funds in the Low Carbon Transit Operational Program (LCTOP), funded by the state’s cap-and-trade program, state officials said.
Over the past decade, LCTOP has provided more than $1 billion to more than 1,400 projects that have expanded bus or rail service, helped transit agencies purchase zero-emission vehicles, funded zero-emission infrastructure projects, and supported free or reduced transit fare programs.
About 96% of this funding went to disadvantaged and low-income communities.
“Caltrans is investing in transit service and infrastructure improvements to improve and increase travel options in disadvantaged local communities and help fight climate change,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “The program illustrates our commitment to providing a transportation network that respects the environment and serves all Californians.”
LCTOP is funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and is part of California Climate Investments, a state program that allocates billions of cap-and-trade dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment—especially in disadvantaged communities.
Some of the projects that will benefit from LCTOP funding this year include:
- Victor Valley Transit Authority (Hesperia): Purchase of three replacement zero-emission fuel cell electric buses for just over $1.1 million. See state listings for additional funded projects.
- San Bernardino County Transportation Authority: Continue to provide free Metrolink passes to riders within San Bernardino County. The program will focus on San Bernardino stations on the Arrow and San Bernardino lines. The price is $600,000.
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: $51.3 million for operations benefiting Metro’s E Line light rail service.
You can find a complete list of projects here
For more information on California’s transportation investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov and build.ca.gov.