Senator Charles Schumer says he'll fight for Broome County's share of $1.5 billion in federal money to upgrade it's bus fleet.


Wednesday Schumer came to B.C Transit's office in Vestal to talk about funds available from the Fixing America's Surface Transportation, or FAST Act.


Schumer says this Act Created a new program for municipalities to apply for funds for replacing aging bus fleets. The program will be funded at an average of $300 million a year, for the next five years.


If Broome County received its requested grant, money from the funding would be used to help B.C. Transit purchase new buses without raising bus fares.


Officials say updating the county's bus fleet would cost $9 million. B.C. Transit Commissioner Greg Kilmer says federal assistance from the program would help to bring stability and predictability to funding for the operation.


Schumer says he will work hard to get B.C. Transit the highest funding feasible. He says the services provided by the operation are vital for the safety and convenience of the more than two million annual riders of the B.C. transportation system.