U.S. DOT announces almost $17 million for three Bay Area bus projects

President Biden and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded almost $17 million this week to Bay Area transit agencies to help modernize and electrify buses, make bus systems and routes more reliable, and improve safety.

Among the Bay Area agencies getting funding:

• The Napa Valley Transportation Authority, which operates the regional Vine Transit Bus system, will receive $8,455,856 to purchase electric buses to replace older buses that have reached their useful life along with support charging infrastructure to be installed at its future maintenance facility. 
• The City of Santa Rosa (CityBus) will receive $4,288,300 to buy battery-electric buses to replace older buses that have reached the end of their useful life along with charging infrastructure.
• The Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority will receive $3,998,543 to purchase infrastructure and equipment to support hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. 

The award was part of a larger $409.3 million in grants to 70 projects in 39 states. The grants support modernizing and improving the most widespread form of transit in America and will help dozens of communities buy new-technology and electric buses, such as electric buses, that reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, promote cleaner air, and help address the climate crisis.

"These grants will help people in communities large and small get to work, get to school, and access the services they need," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Everyone deserves access to safe, reliable, clean public transportation – and thanks to the President’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are bringing modern buses to communities across America." 

FTA received more than $2.5 billion in funding requests, more than five times the amount of funding available under the previous law. Under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, an additional $5.1 billion in formula and competitive grant funding is authorized under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program over the next five years – meaning more projects can be funded. 

"Transit agencies are replacing aging buses and facilities with newer, cleaner infrastructure that is more efficient to operate and maintain," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Modern buses, especially those powered with electric batteries or fuel cells, improve air quality and help us address the climate crisis."