US transit agencies set for $1.7 billion clean bus boost

The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced almost US$1.7 billion in funding aimed at supporting the modernisation and electrification of public transit fleets across the country in 2023.

The funding – part of US$7.5 billion allocated through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – includes US$1.22 billion for the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program and US$469 million for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.

“The historic funding opportunity is helping communities across the country purchase new buses, which will cut harmful pollution and train workers for good-paying jobs” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“With these new, cleaner buses, Americans will have better options to get where they need to go, and people everywhere will benefit from cleaner air.”

Low-No

The FTA’s Low-No Program helps transit agencies buy or lease US-built zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, along with charging equipment and supporting facilities.

The IIJA provides US$5.5 billion over five years for the programme – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding.

The agency’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program supports transit agencies in buying and rehabilitating buses, vans and related equipment and building bus facilities, with the IIJA providing nearly US$2 billion over five years for the programme.

Both schemes support buses that reduce air pollution and will contribute towards President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Last year, the FTA announced the first round of selections for both programmes with IIJA funding, which put approximately 1,800 new buses on US roads, with over 1,100 of those using zero-emissions technology.

This included New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority being awarded US$116 million to buy approximately 230 battery-electric buses to replace older diesel buses and launch a workforce training and development programme.

Workforce development

As part of the FTA’s pledge to build a diverse and skilled public transportation workforce and help upskill workers for new bus technologies, five percent of each grant for zero-emission projects must be used for workforce development and training.

The agency is encouraging workforce development plans to be developed in partnership with workforce representatives and the use of registered apprenticeships.

Funding will give priority consideration to projects that advance environmental justice under the administration’s Justice40 Initiative and to projects that will “catalyse a broader shift towards low- and zero-emission options across the transit sector”.

“Buying new buses, including many vehicles that use new technology to fight climate change, will promote cleaner, faster and safer rides as we move toward a better future,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

“Thanks to the strong commitment of this administration to not leave anyone behind, we will be able to connect more people in their communities and improve the reliability of transit service.”

Image: MTA