Congresswoman Maxine Waters Celebrates Opening of Gardena Transit Facility

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) participated in the grand opening of the Gardena Transit Administration's new operations and maintenance facility today.  She noted that the new facility will create 100 jobs, expand training opportunities for transportation employees and improve service for riders.  The federal government provided 70 percent of the funding for the facility.

"This state-of-the-art facility will help the Gardena Transit Administration meet the growing demand in the South Bay for transportation services," said Congresswoman Waters.

The new facility will house vehicles and maintenance equipment.  Congresswoman Waters has helped secure millions of dollars for the Municipal Transit Operators Coalition to upgrade bus systems including Gardena's.  Gardena has acquired hybrid buses which will be housed at the new facility.

The building features many environmentally friendly qualities.  It has been designed to conserve energy and use solar panels to generate electricity, filter and circulate air, and reduce water usage.  The U.S. Green Building Council is currently reviewing the building for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Photo: Congresswoman Waters at the ribbon cutting for the new Gardena transit facility with (from left to right) State Senator Rod Wright; Councilwoman Rachel Johnson; Whittman Ballenger, Director of Transportation; Councilman Ron Ikejiri; Mayor Paul Tanaka; City Manager Mitch Lansdale; Ray Tellis of the Federal Transit Administration; and Councilman Dan Medina.
 

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