The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded nearly 1.7 billion USD to 130 projects that will invest in cleaner American-built buses.
This funding, sourced from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will see more than 1,700 new buses enter service in 46 states and territories as part of the FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programmes.
Nearly half of these new vehicles will be zero-emission at tailpipe, bringing the total number of such transit buses funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to more than 1,800. With these purchases, the Infrastructure Law will have more than doubled the number of zero-emission transit buses on US roads.
Additionally, many of the recent awards also invest in America’s workers, with millions of dollars in funding going towards workforce programmes that will train internal combustion mechanics to become electric motor technicians.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:Every day, over 60,000 buses in communities of all sizes take millions of Americans to work, school, and everywhere else they need to go. Today’s announcement means more clean buses, less pollution, more jobs in manufacturing and maintenance, and better commutes for families across the country.
This investment is the second bus grant package funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law this year, following an initial 1.7 billion USD awarded in January.
The full list of projects selected to receive FY 2023 funding can be viewed here.
FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said:Today, we are creating new opportunities to dramatically improve the lives of millions of Americans who ride on buses every day. Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these grants will help deliver a cleaner and more modern mode of transportation, designed to reach everyone, and to work for everyone, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past.
