The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently awarded NJ TRANSIT, the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system, a $99.5 million grant.
The agency will use the funding to modernize the 31-year-old Meadowlands Bus Garage in Secaucus to accommodate electric buses. Work will include the design and construction of an outdoor charging facility with a canopy design and pantographs supplying electricity to the buses, and constructing shelter and maintenance facilities.
After phase one of the construction is completed, the agency will have charging equipment to accommodate 67 buses. Once the entire project is completed in 2028, the garage will be able to accommodate 130 buses.
“Transitioning to electric buses represents a paradigm shift in how we power our mass transit system and one that is already underway with our deployment of electric buses in the Camden region,” said Fran O’Connor, NJ TRANSIT board chairwoman and New Jersey Department of Transportation commissioner. “Through grants like this from FTA, we can continue transforming that vision for the future into reality and put New Jersey on track to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly transportation network.”
The project is consistent with NJ TRANSIT’s Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan, a 10-year strategic plan to transition to a zero emissions bus fleet.