The Federal Transit Administration recently awarded the Connecticut Department of Transportation a $26.4 million Low or No Emission Grant Program grant for the purchase of 20 battery electric buses and the implementation of transit facility infrastructure upgrades.
The state’s $44.4 million project includes purchasing and deploying the electric buses for service within the CTtransit Stamford Division and improvements to the existing CTtransit Stamford Division bus depot. Improvements include chargers, power upgrades, and building retrofits.
The CTtransit Stamford Division provides approximately 3.5 million passenger trips annually, approximately 10 percent of all bus trips in the state. It services in the Greater Stamford area with 19 local and one express route. Buses also operate out of the Stamford Transportation Center.
Connecticut will provide $8.8 million in matching state funds.
The biennium budget provides $1.8 million for the CTtransit Stamford Division for new local crosstown routes between the Springdale and Cove areas.
The state’s goal is to convert its public transportation bus fleet from diesel to zero-emission by 2035.
“Transitioning our fleet from older diesel models to newer zero-emission buses reduces greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution impacting communities around the state,” Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said, “In addition to having zero emissions, these state-of-the-art buses are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and have additional amenities that improve the rider experience.”