Tahoe Transportation District Awarded $7.9 Million For Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses

The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) proudly announces a significant expansion of its green bus fleet, made possible by a generous federal grant valued at $7.9 million. This project will greatly enhance TTD's efforts to modernize its fleet with environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

With the new funding, TTD will acquire state-of-the-art diesel-electric hybrid buses, which will reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and provide a more sustainabletransportation option for the Tahoe community. These buses will contribute to TTD’s goal of supporting a green bus fleet for the future, aligning with broader climate objectives.

“The introduction of diesel-electric hybrid buses marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to sustainable transportation,” said Carl Hasty, District Manager of the Tahoe Transportation District. “This funding will not only allow us to upgrade our fleet with greener technology, but also enhance the overall transit experience for our community and visitors. We are grateful for the federal support that makes this possible.”

Federal support for bus projects over the last several years has been instrumental in moving people and helping communities advance their climate goals. This new project is part of an approximately $1.5 billion funding initiative to support 117 projects aimed at improving public transportation in 47 states. Over the last three years, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has allocated nearly $5 billion to replace and modernize transit buses across America, building new technology with American workers. This initiative will result in the production of more than 3,650 new buses.

This funding continues the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic federal investment in the nation’s bus systems as well as the transit workforce. Approximately 80 percent of the buses being funded will run on zero and low-emission technology, reducing air pollution and helping meet the President’s goal of zero emissions by 2050.

The projects announced today are supported by FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities and Low-and No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle programs. 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. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides nearly $2 billion through 2026 for this program. For fiscal year 2024, approximately $390 million in grants was available under this program.

FTA’s Low-and No-Emission program makes funding available to help transit agencies buy or lease U.S. built low- or no-emission vehicles, including buses and vans, make facility and station upgrades to accommodate these vehicles, and buy supporting equipment like battery electric charging. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5.6 billion through 2026 for the Low-No program – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding. For fiscal year 2024, approximately $1.1 billion was available for grants under this program.