Better Buses: Governor Hochul Announces MTA Seeking Companies to Upgrade Fleet with 650 New, Alternative-Fuel Buses

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will be releasing a request for proposals (RFPs) from bus manufacturing companies to build 650 new buses, the biggest single upgrade to the fleet since 2013. When the full order has been completed, these new buses will represent more than 10 percent of the MTA's bus fleet and will serve more than one million daily riders. These buses will be purchased with funding secured by Governor Hochul in the MTA's historic 2025-29 Capital Plan and will fulfill the MTA's commitment to modernize its bus fleet made in the Next Stop: Faster Buses, Better Service plan announced in partnership with Governor Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani this summer. The buses will use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a cheaper, greener alternative to diesel fuel. The new buses, which will replace aging CNG buses already in service, will improve fleet reliability, reduce emissions and improve air quality.

"We promised New Yorkers a historic partnership with City Hall to move buses faster and more reliably, now we are delivering by moving full speed ahead with the single largest purchase of new MTA buses in over a decade," Governor Hochul said. "Modern, reliable buses can spend more time on the road and less time in the shop than the old vehicles they will replace, a win for riders who depend on frequent, reliable service to get around."

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said, "Working New Yorkers depend on our buses to get to work, get their kids to school, get home and get where they need to go. This investment will help us deliver the faster, more reliable and more affordable bus service New Yorkers deserve while modernizing our fleet and moving to cleaner, greener fuel. I'm proud to partner with Governor Hochul and the MTA to make that vision a reality and build a transit system that works for every New Yorker."

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "The Governor and Mayor have been clear: better bus service can't wait. So, while the electric bus industry continues to mature, MTA is moving forward with CNGs to further improve service for the millions of New Yorkers who ride MTA buses every day."

MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Jessie Lazarus said, "These 650 Compressed Natural Gas buses are a core part of our strategy to deliver faster, greener, more cost-efficient service to the millions of daily customers who depend on our bus service. Through large order sizes like this one, plus the potential for multiple awards, we are leveraging the MTA's multibillion dollar commitment to the future of our transit system to get as many new buses into service as soon as possible."

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, "Modern buses make a big difference on our ability to deliver efficient, reliable and safe service for the millions of daily customers who ride the system every day. We're continuing to forward our goal of a greener fleet and a more resilient transit system for future generations while ensuring we maintain the service New Yorkers deserve."

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "New York moves fast - and our public transportation should too. This investment delivers cheaper, greener transit options and puts riders and bus drivers first. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's continued support in ensuring a strong transportation network throughout the state."

City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu said, "650 new buses will help ensure that the MTA's fleet can meet the challenge of delivering faster and more reliable service for New Yorkers. The investment supports a greener future while putting riders first, and I'm grateful for Governor Hochul and Chair Lieber's leadership on the critical upgrade."

In July, the MTA stood with Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani to release "Next Stop: Faster Buses, Better Service," an initiative to increase speeds and improve service. Since then, 41 new buses have entered service to replace the oldest buses with an average age of 18 years - the oldest was 21 years old - well beyond their useful life.

The MTA is committed to gradually replacing older diesel buses with more environmentally-friendly vehicles in a manner that maintains safe, reliable, and affordable bus service for the millions of daily riders. As part of that strategy, 30 percent of standard bus purchases in this Capital Plan are expected to be CNG buses. This Capital Plan also provides for the purchase of 500 zero-emission buses and the installation of charging infrastructure at bus depots, with a focus on bus depots in communities disproportionately affected by poor air quality.

100 percent of the natural gas used to fuel CNG buses is offset by renewable natural gas (RNG), which is made using methane captured from organic sources including landfills and farms and thus dramatically reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. CNG buses are also quieter, reducing noise pollution. Using RNG also protects the Authority from diesel price swings, saving taxpayers money. In addition, CNG buses require less maintenance and are generally more reliable compared to diesel buses.

This RFP is part of the MTA's new Rolling Stock Program, which approaches rolling stock procurement contracts differently by encouraging innovation by giving manufacturers greater flexibility to propose new ideas. This results in a streamlined contract that will ensure the Authority can deliver quality cars and buses in a timely manner, while giving riders the best value for their tax dollars.

Proposals are due October 19, 2026.