The Biden-Harris Administration and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced the availability of approximately 1.47 billion USD in competitive grant funds to help modernise bus fleets and facilities across the US.
This funding was announced at an event with Vice President Kamala Harris, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nuria Fernandez.
US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, said:This is another example of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action. We're making the largest ever investment in this program for buses and bus facilities, helping to deliver better commutes and cleaner air to American communities.
The announcement is the first FTA competitive grant opportunity available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
FTA’s Low or No Emission programme offers funding for transit agencies to purchase or lease US-built low or no-emission vehicles. For fiscal year 2022, approximately 1.1 billion USD will be available in grants.
Additionally, FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities provides funding for US transit agencies to purchase and rehabilitate buses, vans, and related equipment, and build bus facilities. For fiscal year 2022, approximately 372 million USD will be available under this programme.
FTA Administrator Fernandez, said:Manufacturing thousands of new, American-built buses will create jobs all over our nation, offering cleaner, faster and safer rides as we move toward a better transportation future. When transit agencies are applying for these grants, they will propose projects that address climate change, improve air quality, open new opportunities and include workforce training to help workers transition to operating and maintaining these new, clean energy fleets.
The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aims to upgrade and expand public transit, ports, roads and airports.
The FTA is also encouraging applicants to provide information on how their proposed project will support the Justice40 Initiative by benefitting disadvantaged communities, increasing safety, improving access to transit and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
