Pascrell Celebrates $99 Million Grant for NJ Transit

Funding aids state bus program while fighting climate change

PATERSON, NJ – Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today cheered the awarding of a $99,499,531 grant to New Jersey Transit as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Low or No Emission Bus Grant Program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Pascrell voted for this law and strongly advocated for this grant to be approved by the Federal Transit Administration.

The grant revitalizes the Meadowlands Bus Garage Facility through the construction of solar panels and battery electric buses (BEBs) to transition NJ Transit’s fleet into carbon-free electricity. The grant will help NJ Transit meet their climate goals by transitioning to new fleet technology, like electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

“Maybe no state relies on its buses and public transit more than ours, the most densely populated state,” said Congressman Pascrell. “I am thrilled that the historic infrastructure law we enacted is delivering yet again. With increased service and reduced air pollution, the grant is a big win for bus riders across northern New Jersey. This massive federal grant for the Meadowlands Bus Garage will help construct solar panels and battery electric chargers essential to our carbon-free future. Thanks to this federal aid, we are helping New Jersey Transit meet its climate goals by transitioning to new fleet technology, like electric and alternative fuel vehicles. This project will be a critical investment in New Jersey’s transportation future and in our nation’s growing fight against climate change.

“Today, 117 communities, including Northern New Jersey 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 across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”

The purchase of zero-emission buses is an identified need in NJT’s 2020 Five Year Capital Plan. This charging facility will utilize a canopy design with pantographs supplying electricity to the buses. Opened in 1993, the Meadowlands garage located at 2600 Penhorn Ave, Secaucus NJ, was designed to accommodate only diesel buses and currently lacks infrastructure to support electric vehicle transition.

Phase 1 of the project will consist of constructing the infrastructure and installing charging equipment for approximately 67 buses and will further prepare the site for 150 electric buses. This project enables NJT to shelter, charge, and maintain BEBs, while increasing service in the historically disadvantaged communities, and includes work force development activities and training.

Transforming the Meadowlands Bus Garage to support the deployment of BEBs will reduce the bus fleet’s overall energy consumption, as BEBs are among one of the most energy-efficient heavy-duty transit vehicles in production. Utilizing solar power to charge the BEBs will result in a permanent reduction in emissions. First, electricity production from solar causes a reduction in emissions, compared to traditional grid electricity, which often relies on fossil fuels. Second, BEBs produce zero GHG emissions and do not emit toxic co-pollutants such as NOx, PM, CO, SO2 & VOCs compared to diesel-powered buses.

NJ Transit is the nation’s third largest transit agency, providing riders with millions of bus and rail trips annually. The federal grant announced today addresses the 32 bus routes that serve commuters across North Jersey and the region. The agency has worked closely with communities across the Ninth District to address transit reliability issues and deliver for commuters.