Biden-Harris Administration Announces $99.5 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to New Jersey Transit to Modernize its Meadowlands Bus Garage  

Third round of historic federal funding will help transit agencies such as New Jersey Transit serve more riders, reduce air pollution, and train workers on new technologies

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that New Jersey Transit will receive close to $100 million to upgrade the Meadowlands Bus Garage to support its green bus fleet of the future. The modernization project will enable NJT to house, charge, and maintain its electric buses while increasing service in historically disadvantaged communities.

Today’s announcement is part of approximately $1.5 billion in funding to support 117 projects that will improve public transportation in 47 states. Under the President’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FTA has awarded nearly $5 billion in the past three years to replace and modernize transit buses on America’s roadways, building new technology with American workers. U.S. factories will produce more than 4,600 new buses.

“Today, another 117 communities across 47 states are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies replace old buses running on dirtier, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”

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 or low-emission technology, reducing air pollution and helping meet the President’s goal of zero emissions by 2050.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are creating new opportunities to improve the lives of millions of Americans who rely daily on buses,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “These grants will help deliver cleaner and greener transportation, designed to reach everyone, and to work for everyone, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past.”

Federal support for bus projects over the last several years has been instrumental in improving public transit and helping communities advance their climate goals.

NJT’s Meadowlands Bus Garage operates 32 bus routes in Hudson County that cover 6.4 million miles annually, including serving several diverse New Jersey communities. NJT plans to retrofit the garage, which opened more than 30 years ago, to include charging equipment to support the future deployment of battery electric buses. As part of the project, NJT will initiate workforce training to help bus operators and maintenance staff perfect how to drive and maintain buses powered on new technology.

For this year’s selections, FTA prioritized awards that will help strengthen U.S. bus manufacturing, stabilize the cost of new buses, and accelerate the delivery of new vehicles. Of the 117 projects selected, 47 projects totaling $817 million are from applicants that committed to procuring standard model buses or using a joint procurement. Buying standardized bus models without customization can shorten manufacturing timelines and contain costs. By prioritizing these awards, FTA is encouraging lower costs and accelerated vehicle delivery that will result in more American-built buses getting on the road faster.

See all FY24 projects here.

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 the program. For Fiscal Year 2024, approximately $390 million for 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 low- or no-emission 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 10 times greater than the previous five years of funding. For Fiscal Year 2024, approximately $1.1 billion was available for grants under this program.

In response to the Notice of Funding Opportunity, FTA received 477 eligible project proposals totaling $9 billion in requests.