Padilla, Schiff Announce Nearly $300 Million for Low-Emission California Commuter Buses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded over $297 million to 24 California projects to help transition to low-emission bus models across the state. The funding comes through the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) grant program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program. Padilla and Schiff supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's substantial increase in funding for these programs.

The Low-No program helps transit agencies buy or lease U.S.-made low- or no-emission buses and make critical facility, station, and charging upgrades to facilitate this transition. The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program provides federal funding for transit agencies to buy and rehabilitate buses and vans and build and modernize bus facilities. California will receive $267.70 million from the Low-No program and $29.68 million from the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program.

"Growing up in Pacoima, I experienced firsthand the harmful health and environmental impacts communities along busy transit corridors face from poor air quality," said Senator Padilla. "This nearly $300 million investment in our transition to low-emission buses will improve public health and promote a cleaner commute for millions of Californians. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, California commuters are benefiting from a more reliable, modernized, and sustainable transportation system."

"Putting new, clean air buses on California's streets will improve commutes, cut pollution, and enhance the quality of life for communities from Alameda to Yuba and all across our state. Even years after its passage, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is continuing to deliver for California," said Senator Schiff.

Recipients of funding from the Low-No and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities programs include:

• Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) - $63.95 million for the LAVTA BIG BUS Project
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency - $39.80 million to procure 40-foot hybrid diesel electric motor coaches to replace an aging fleet
• Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) - $39.67 million for the Revitalizing Sacramento's Transit Fleet Project
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) - $20.31 million for the Fleet and Facility Modernization Project
• North County Transit District (NCTD) - $16.77 million for the Bus Replacement Project to Enhance Safety and Reliability
• City of Fresno - $16.69 million for the FAX Bus and Bus Facilities Rehabilitation and Replacement Project
• Culver City Municipal Bus Lines - $14.45 million for the Culver City Bus Replacement Project
• Yuba-Sutter Transit Authority - $12.71 million for the Next Generation Bus Operations, Maintenance and Administration Facility Project
• Golden Empire Transit District - $11.79 million for Advancing Sustainable Transit
• San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) - $10.33 million for the RTD's Low Emission Transition Project and Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell Station Expansion Project

The full list of awards for California is available here.

Senator Padilla has championed the transition from diesel-powered buses to zero-emission vehicles, including through his bicameral Clean Commute For Kids Act. Last year, Padilla announced over $233 million for 16 California projects through the Low-No and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities programs. He previously applauded over $184 million from the Low-No program and the FY 2023 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program to support the transition to zero- and low-emission buses.

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