As Congestion Pricing Kicks Off, MTA Announces Purchase of 265 New Zero-Emissions Buses

January 14, 2025

As Congestion Pricing Kicks Off, MTA Announces Purchase of 265 New Zero-Emissions Buses

Thanks to funding from congestion pricing, New York will place its largest order of zero-emissions buses yet

Contacts

Nydia Gutiérrez, Earthjustice, [email protected]

New York, NY-

Late last week, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced that it will purchase 265 new zero-emissions buses. The order is the largest in New York history. This major announcement was largely made possible by the launch of New York's groundbreaking Congestion Pricing program, which kicked off last week. The program's tolls are providing critical funding for public transit projects across the City.

"MTA's announcement shows that the Congestion Pricing is already working," said Alok Disa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst at Earthjustice. "The program is expected to raise up to $800 million each year to support critical upgrades, including placing the state's largest order of brand new electric buses that will help clean our air. It's great to see these dollars in action, and this announcement is welcome news for New Yorkers who breathe in the toxic fumes from polluting diesel buses."

Transportation is one of New York's largest sources of diesel emissions, disproportionately harming communities of color across the city, leading to increased asthma rates, cardiovascular disease, and other health harms. By electrifying the city's bus fleet, New York leaders are taking a critical step to improving air quality and reducing climate pollution across the City.

MTA electric buses at the Jamaica Depot in New York City. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

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