In a significant move toward sustainable public transit, Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) announced its plans for a comprehensive overhaul of its bus fleet, backed by a robust $76.8 million federal grant, as reported by FOX40. The funding will facilitate the purchase of new hydrogen fuel cell buses and the upgrading of the McClellan Business Park maintenance facility, aiming to achieve zero-emission bus service in northern Sacramento by 2028.
The Federal Transit Administration's significant capital funds from the Low or No Emission Grant program are set to make this promise a reality. SacRT's push towards an eco-friendly transport system also involves the construction of the region's first hydrogen facility, a notable regional shift towards clean energy, as stated in a statement obtained by SacRT's official news release. In a broader scheme of federal investments, approximately $1.5 billion is being allocated to improve public transport infrastructure in 47 states.
Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of a zero-emission future by 2050, the project earmarks funds not just for hardware but also aims to nurture human capital. The upgrades will introduce an operation control center and a hydrogen fueling center, alongside necessary training for the workforce to ensure seamless maintenance and operation of the new zero-emission buses, as per the local news source FOX40.
The sizable federal grant is complemented by state, local, and anticipated sources, rounding out SacRT's project kitty to an estimated $102 million. The collaborative financial strategy employs additional funding from sources such as the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and the California Air Resources Board. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the national effort, saying, "The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers," according to the SacRT's release.
