Jul 9, 2024 - News

PSTA gets $27.8M in federal funds for electric, hybrid buses

Selene San Felice

Animated illustration of a charge indicator bar in the shape of a bus, filling up with a bar that looks like money. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is getting closer its goal of going all-electric thanks to newly announced federal funds.

Driving the news: The agency is receiving $27.8 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration to buy new electric buses, hybrid buses and charging equipment, and to initiate a workforce development program.

The project aims to improve service and reliability, as well as address air quality and noise pollution.

The big picture: The funding was announced on Tuesday as part of the Biden administration's $1.5-billion investment to support 117 public transportation projects in 47 states.

By the numbers: PSTA is phasing out 16 diesel buses to add 12 electric and four hybrid buses, as well as 12 chargers.

In five years the agency will have 74 electric buses and 96 hybrids with 40 diesel buses remaining.

What they're saying: Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg commended PSTA for its commitment to greener transportation, including its hybrid-powered SunRunner program.

"You all are leaning into this next generation of transit investments and we are excited to support you," she said at a press conference.

Flashback: PSTA replaced 60 diesel buses with electric buses last year, paid for with settlement money from a Volkswagen emissions scandal.

What's ahead: The agency has pledged to go all-electric by 2050.

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PSTA gets $27.8M in federal funds for electric, hybrid buses

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