The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced approximately $1.5 billion in funding to support 117 projects aimed at improving public transportation across 47 states. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has allocated nearly $5 billion over the past three years to replace and modernize transit buses with new technology produced by American workers. More than 4,600 new buses will be manufactured as a result.

"Today, another 117 communities across 47 states are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies replace old buses running on dirtier, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go."

Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized the environmental benefits of this investment: "Investing in low-emission and no-emission transit buses has emerged as a transformational pillar of President Biden's transportation emissions reductions strategy. This innovative and common-sense approach is already bolstering American manufacturing and creating good-paying union jobs – and it will safeguard the planet for future generations."

This funding supports federal investments in bus systems and the transit workforce, with about 80 percent of funded buses running on zero or low emission technology. These efforts align with President Biden’s goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050 and advance his Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40 percent of certain federal investments' benefits to flow to disadvantaged communities.

"Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are creating new opportunities to improve the lives of millions of Americans who rely daily on buses," said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "These grants will help deliver cleaner and greener transportation, designed to reach everyone, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past."

Federal support for bus projects has been critical in enhancing public transit while helping communities meet climate goals. For this year's selections, FTA prioritized awards that strengthen U.S. bus manufacturing, stabilize new bus costs, and expedite vehicle delivery.

Among the selected projects:

- New Jersey Transit will receive approximately $99.5 million for a charging facility at its Meadowlands Bus Garage.

- The Sacramento Regional Transportation District will get $76.8 million for hydrogen fuel cell buses.

- The Colorado Department of Transportation will receive $32.8 million on behalf of Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) for modernization efforts.

- Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) in Orlando will receive $27.6 million for compressed natural gas buses.

- The Shoshone Bannock Tribe will receive $722,400 for new vehicles.

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program provides federal funding for purchasing and rehabilitating vehicles as well as building facilities underpinned by nearly $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through 2026.

Additionally, FTA’s Low-and No-Emission program offers funds to help transit agencies buy or lease low- or no-emission vehicles with more than ten times greater funding than previous years thanks to a $5.6 billion provision through 2026.

In response to a Notice of Funding Opportunity, FTA received 477 eligible project proposals totaling $9 billion in requests.