AC TRANSIT RECEIVES BUS AND LOW- AND NO-EMISSION GRANT AWARD FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The $15 million grant paves the way for new zero emission buses and infrastructure improvements at our Hayward-D6 facility.

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) is proud to announce that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded our transit district $15 million through the 2024 Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Awards (Low-No Grant) to support the expansion of AC Transit's green bus fleet and maintenance facilities for the future. Today’s announcement is part of approximately $1.5 billion in funding to support 117 projects that will improve public transportation in 47 states.

For the second consecutive year, the FTA has supported AC Transit's commitment to reducing and ultimately eliminating our greenhouse gas footprint by aiding in the purchase of an additional 25state-of-the-art hydrogen fuel cell buses (FCEBs) and a third hydrogen fueling station.

“Today, 117 communities, including AC Transit's East Bay, 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 across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”

AC Transit’s Zero Emission Transit Bus Technology Analysis (ZETBTA), which was groundbreaking as the first side-by-side test of all available engine propulsion systems, demonstrated the operational reliability of FCEB fleets. In addition to new FCEBs, the $15 million Low-No Grant helps to pave the way for converting our Hayward-D6 bus yard from its current 1980s-era facility to an industry-leading zero emission maintenance and FCEB fueling center.

AC Transit was the first U.S. transit agency to introduce a hydrogen fuel cell bus into daily service, in 1999. Over 25 years, our zero emission fleet has expanded to 30 FCEBs and 28 battery electric buses (BEB), which combined, have eliminated more than 13,000 metric tons of CO2.

"All-new hydrogen fuel cell buses (FCEBs) are more than just quiet on the road, reducing noise pollution; they are also game changers in lowering particulate matter concentrations that can lead to increased asthma rates and other adverse health effects," said AC Transit Board of Directors President Joel Young. "It is why the collective Board continues to prioritize AC Transit's Clean Corridors Plan, which specifically assigns zero emission buses to bus lines in disadvantaged communities."

AC Transit is leading the way in complying with the California Air Resources Board regulation that mandates all state transit agencies transition to zero emission bus fleets by 2040. However, being a pioneer in zero emission bus deployment is an expensive endeavor.

"Rehabilitating our legacy bus yard enables us to advance our Zero Emission Transition Plan through infrastructure investment. This includes a one-time upgrade to remove underground diesel tanks and transition to a hydrogen fueling station capable of servicing 130 buses daily," said General Manager Michael Hursh. "However, the estimated construction cost is $12 million, which demands us to find additional funding beyond the Low-No Grant for completion."

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program provides federal funding for U.S. transit agencies to buy and rehabilitate buses and vans and build and modernize bus facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides nearly $2 billion through 2026 for the program. For Fiscal Year 2024, approximately $390 million for grants was available under this program. 

AC Transit extends its gratitude to U.S. Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Congressman Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler for their ongoing support.