Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Major $28.8 Million In Fed Funding For New Bus Transit Facility In Utica

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Major $28.8 Million In Fed Funding For New Bus Transit Facility In Utica

Feb 20, 2026

Investment In New Bus Maintenance & Storage Facility Will Pave The Way For Future Expansion Of Transit Service In Oneida County & Throughout Mohawk Valley

Funding Was Secured Under The FY2026 Buses & Bus Facilities Program, Which Schumer Fought To Boost In Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law

Schumer, Gillibrand: Oneida County Is In The Fast Lane For A New Bus Facility!

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that they have secured a whopping $28,800,000 in federal funding for the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) to construct a new bus maintenance, storage, and administrative facility in Utica, serving all of Oneida County and communities across the greater Mohawk Valley. The grant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law - championed by the senators - was awarded through the Federal Transit Administration's FY26 Buses & Bus Facilities Program, and brings the total BIL investment in the City of Utica up to more than $53 million.

"Thanks to this massive federal investment, Utica is officially gearing up for a brand new public transit facility that will put Oneida County in the fast lane for the modern bus system residents deserve. I'm proud to deliver this major $28 million investment for the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority to improve bus transit for Utica and Oneida County," said Senator Schumer. "This major federal investment, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, will pave the way for new economic growth, create good-paying jobs, and drive the future of public transportation for the Mohawk Valley."

"This $28.8 million in federal funding I have secured will support a new facility to enhance bus service, improve reliability, and help ensure Oneida County residents can get where they need to go safely and efficiently," said Senator Gillibrand. "I'll keep fighting to make sure transit agencies across our state have the resources they need to maintain strong, dependable service for the communities they serve."

"We are greatly appreciative of this funding which will be used to build a new transit facility in Utica. Our current facility is prone to seasonal flooding, which occasionally makes it difficult for us to provide transportation services for our community. This new facility will increase the reliability of our service, improve the working conditions for our dedicated workers, and also allow us to consider alternate propulsion systems for Oneida County," said CNYRTA CEO Chris Tuff. "On behalf of CNYRTA and the millions of riders we serve each year, I would like to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their leadership in securing this major investment to transform our region's public transportation."

"The news that CNYRTA's new public transit facility - their Mohawk Valley regional hub - will be constructed in Utica is transformational to the Utica/Rome metro area. Not only will the influx of major construction feed our near term economy with jobs, but its permanent contribution to our transportation infrastructure will be paramount to attracting new growth for the future of the city," said Michael P. Galime, Mayor of Utica. "Congratulations to CNYRTA on this huge win, and my immense appreciation to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for making this possible with their tireless advocacy and willingness to work across the aisle when it comes to supporting the people of Utica and the Mohawk Valley."

The proposed facility will address critical operational needs and provide the foundation for a modern, resilient, and service-ready transit future in Utica, Oneida County, and across the Mohawk Valley. Strategically located and designed, the project will accommodate future expansion opportunities of transit service into adjacent counties, including Herkimer and Madison. By centralizing operations and upgrading its physical infrastructure, CNYRTA is taking a critical step toward building a more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and regionally integrated transportation network.

The grant was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and awarded through the Federal Transit Administration's FY26 Buses & Bus Facilities Program. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand fought to include over $5.5 billion in funding for the Bus and Bus Facilities program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to fund local transit systems.

Schumer has long led the charge to modernize the City of Utica's aging transportation infrastructure and revitalize the city's historic downtown. In 2024, after personally calling and writing the Secretary of Transportation to fight for Utica, Schumer proudly delivered a highly competitive $1.8 million BIL investment to fix Utica's infamous and outdated Genesee Street traffic signals. Earlier that year, Schumer secured a $4.6 million BIL investment for Utica's Broad Street Corridor Project through the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives Program. In 2022, following direct advocacy to the Transportation Secretary, Schumer secured an $18.2 million BIL investment through the U.S. DOT's highly competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for Utica's North Genesee Street Gateway Bridge & Multi-Modal Connector Project.

###