MTA Announces Purchase of 265 New Zero-Emission Buses

New Charging Infrastructure Will Be Commissioned at Jamaica Bus Depot

Buses to Operate on Routes Throughout Five Boroughs

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the purchase of 265 new zero-emission buses that will operate on routes across the city. This purchase builds on the 60 zero-emission buses that came last year and is in addition to the 205 zero-emission buses slated to come beginning late this year.

These new 40-foot buses will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by upwards of 90 metric tons annually per bus. They feature lightweight electric traction drive systems that allow buses to recover up to 90 percent of energy during braking. Regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brakes and maximizes energy efficiency.

"Transit is what makes New York the greenest City and the greenest region of the country," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "And these new buses, along with all the infrastructure upgrades to bus depots across the five boroughs, mean New Yorkers all over will soon be breathing cleaner air."

"Operating a world-class, zero-emission bus fleet starts with upgrading and modernizing the facilities that serve them," said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. "Our work at the Jamaica Bus Depot and others across the five boroughs will pave the way for a seamless transition to cleaner, safer, more reliable bus service."

"New York City Transit has the largest bus fleet in the country, and we are charging forward with a plan to transition that fleet to cleaner, zero-emission buses," said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "Upgrades to Jamaica Bus Depot and the purchase of 265 new zero-emission buses made possible by Congestion Pricing are a major step forward toward cleaner air and quieter commutes throughout New York City."

"Because of the partnership between New York City Transit, NYPA, and Con Edison, we're continuing to move towards a 100 percent clean energy bus network for the city," said New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro. "Thank you to all of the NYCT workers who've worked tirelessly to upgrade our facilities ahead of this electric bus purchase."

"NYPA and the MTA are working together to set a new standard for urban mobility and environmental stewardship as the nation's largest bus fleet transitions away from fossil fuels," said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "NYPA is proud to help expand fleet vehicle charging infrastructure for electric buses in Queens and across the city to further reduce carbon emissions and enhance the quality of life for millions of New Yorkers by providing cleaner air and quieter streets."

To support the expansion of charging infrastructure for the zero-emissions bus fleet, the MTA and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) are building new electric bus charging stations, including commissioning automated overhead pantographs that are expected to be operational at Jamaica Depot in fall of 2027. The design and buildout incorporate the necessary infrastructure improvements to eventually support a full fleet of electric buses that will be assigned to Jamaica Bus Depot. The new depot will further allow the MTA to transition to a fully electric bus fleet, which will eliminate carbon emissions associated with diesel fuel exhaust, resulting in cleaner air for the city's residents.

The new depot building will have a green roof, which will not only help clean the air and absorb stormwater, but also act as a form of insulation and reduce the depot's energy use. The depot is being constructed in accordance with LEED certification standards, an accredited and globally recognized status of sustainability achievement in construction. The design of the new bus depot will address residents' concerns about noise by erecting a sound-deadening barrier wall along 107th Avenue and another along 165th Street. The walls will shield residents from noise produced by bus depot operations as well as create a visual barrier from the depot itself.

To achieve the MTA's goal of creating economic opportunity in the communities where construction projects take place, the MTA is piloting its first-ever local hiring goals, striving to recruit 20% of the New York State workforce from neighborhoods in Southeast Queens. As of October 2023, the project was on its way to achieving its M/WBE and SDVOB targets, and in some categories the project has already surpassed them.

Pantograph charging systems for the MTA's zero-emission fleet consist of automated overhead charging solutions designed for efficiency and ease of use. Securely mounted on beams above the bus, the pantograph establishes an electrical connection when the bus aligns beneath it at designated charging points. Sensors and control systems guide the pantograph to extend and securely connect to the bus's charging contacts without manual intervention. Once connected, high-power electricity is transferred to recharge the bus's battery, minimizing downtime and enabling seamless integration into the MTA's busy transit schedules.

Infrastructure work has also already begun to deploy 205 additional overhead pantograph charging systems to Gun Hill and Queens Village to support zero-emission buses that will arrive at those depots late this year. In addition, several depots will require electric distribution upgrades in conjunction with Con Edison. The collaboration between MTA and NYPA will also deploy a sophisticated charge management system to help balance the electrical loads, and a long-term service agreement to help maintain reliable bus charging.

The MTA is collaborating closely with Con Edison to source new power for bus charging. Work to transform bus depots to support zero-emission buses includes reconfiguring lanes inside depots specific to electric buses and restructuring areas to accommodate overhead pantograph dispensers to charge buses.

Today's announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and the MTA's goal of operating a 100 percent zero emission bus fleet by 2040. A 100 percent zero emissions bus fleet means that the MTA will avoid a further 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

"MTA's procurement of 265 new zero-emission buses is a positive and welcomed step forward in sustainable transit for New York City," said Representative Gregory Meeks. "I am proud that this is made possible by nearly $20 million from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $70 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The new zero-emissions buses and the charging infrastructure at Jamaica Depot will contribute greatly to New York's bustling public transportation system. Thank you to the MTA and all the local elected officials for working hard towards a more sustainable and cleaner New York."

"Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to sustainability as the MTA announces the procurement of 265 new zero-emission buses at the Jamaica Bus Depot," said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. "This initiative not only represents an investment in public transportation but also demonstrates a strong dedication to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a cleaner environment for our communities. We are paving the way for a healthier population and a thriving economy. I applaud the MTA for delivering this much-needed upgrade."

"As Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am pleased to see the MTA's commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable future with the purchase of 265 zero-emission buses and the upgrades at the Jamaica Bus Depot," said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "This investment will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality in Southeast Queens, and create local job opportunities during the construction phase. A transition to a fully electric bus fleet is essential for meeting our climate goals and ensuring healthier communities across New York City."

"We've made so much important progress thus far in electrifying our mass transit system as we move away from fossil fuels, and it's incumbent on us as a city to double down on those efforts in 2025. The purchase of these new zero-emission buses and the further electrification of the Jamaica Bus Depot is exactly the kind of investment that must define this new year, and I'm grateful to our partners at the MTA and New York City Transit for its efforts to make New York City the greenest big city in the world," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I look forward to even more announcements like these in the year ahead, as we continue to leave no stone unturned in combatting climate change and ensuring environmental justice for all our communities."

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