Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $21+ Million In Fed Funding To Upgrade NFTA Bus Facilities Across Western New York

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $21+ Million In Fed Funding To Upgrade NFTA Bus Facilities Across Western New York

Feb 20, 2026

Investment Will Rehabilitate Critical Bus Infrastructure To Improve Energy Efficiency, Reliability, And Safety For Riders Across Western New York

Funding Was Secured Under The FY2026 Buses & Bus Facilities Program Which Schumer Fought To Boost In Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law

Schumer, Gillibrand: Western New York Is In The Fast Lane For Bus Facility Improvements!

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $21,600,000 in federal funding for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). The grant, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and awarded through the Federal Transit Administration's FY26 Buses & Bus Facilities Program, will help replace the roofing system across three NFTA-Metro bus garages. This will help Western New York realize energy savings to meet the current energy code.

"New federal funding is putting Western New York's bus facilities in the fast lane for improvements. I'm proud to deliver more than $21 million in federal funding for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to upgrade its bus facilities," said Senator Schumer. "This major federal investment, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, will pave the way for long-term reliability, safety, and energy efficiency of NFTA's bus garages and help maintain reliable service for Buffalo and Western New York."

"This $21.6 million in federal funding I have secured will modernize critical bus facilities, improve reliability, and help ensure Western New Yorkers can get where they need to go safely and efficiently," said Senator Gillibrand. "I'll keep fighting to make sure transit agencies across our state have the resources they need to maintain strong, dependable service for the communities they serve."

"We extend our sincere gratitude to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer andKirsten Gillibrand for this critical funding to support needed improvements at our bus garages," said NFTA executive director Kim Minkel. "Their leadership and continued commitment to public transportation will have a lasting positive impact on our workforce, and community we proudly serve. This investment strengthens the very backbone of our transit system, ensuring our fleet is maintained safely, efficiently, and reliably for the thousands of riders who depend on us every day."

NFTA operates transit services from its Babcock, Cold Spring, and Frontier garage locations. The roofing systems at all three garages are between 23 to 35 years old, with two of the three systems being original to the 1980s buildings. Manufacturers' warranties at all three garage locations have expired. Based on NFTA analysis and a roof assessment, replacement of all three roofing systems is necessary for long-term reliability, safety, and energy efficiency at the NFTA-Metro bus garages. The project will also include installation of new code-compliant components, including a vapor barrier, insulation, membrane, flashings, curbs, walk paths, fall protection systems, smoke vents, and access hatches. These improvements will enhance facility safety and generate energy savings in line with modern energy codes. As the NFTA continues to advance its Battery Electric Bus Deployment Program and integrates additional advanced technologies into its fleet, maintaining garage facilities in good condition is critical to supporting reliable and modern transit service.

The grant was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and awarded through the Federal Transit Administration's FY26 Buses & Bus Facilities Program. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand fought to include over $5.5 billion in funding for the Bus and Bus Facilities program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to fund local transit systems.

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