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NEWS RELEASE

August 27, 2007

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Howard Transit Receives New Vehicles

ELLICOTT CITY, MD -- Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced today that Howard Transit has received and placed in service three new small lift-equipped buses. With an aging fleet and recent problems with the air conditioning system on a number of the vehicles, the County and Howard Transit’s contract manager, Corridor Transportation Corporation, worked together to place these buses into service in just a few days. The new buses are being combined with a number of sedans and vans that were recently leased to HT Ride, a curb-to-curb service for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.

“I have been very concerned about the condition of our aging bus fleet, and I heard loud and clear about this issue from residents at our Open Public Forum” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “So many of our citizens count on Howard Transit each day to reach jobs, medical appointments and support services. It is critical that the service is reliable, and I will continue to work with Howard Transit personnel to ensure that we have adequate resources to provide quality service.”

“The purchase of the buses along with the expedited repair of the air conditioning systems and other mechanical problems brings the service back to having sufficient fleet to accommodate most of the HT Ride trips,” said Carl Balser, Chief of Transportation Planning.

To continue to address the problem with the aging fleet, three environmentally friendly Toyota Priuses have been ordered for HT Ride and are expected to be in use by the end of September. Additionally, two diesel electric hybrid buses have been ordered and will be used for Howard Transit fixed route service.