The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transportation District (MTD) and the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) have received substantial federal funding to improve their public transportation systems with the introduction of zero-emission, battery-electric buses.
Congressman Salud Carbajal announced Tuesday that MTD has received $2,894,131, while San Luis Obispo RTA has received $2,572,888 from the Federal Transit Administration. This funding is part of the $5.4 million initiative supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, aimed at improving public transportation reliability and reducing the region’s carbon footprint.
The new 40-foot electric buses and their matching chargers are being funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Buses and Bus Facilities program, which has set aside $1.5 billion to support 117 transportation projects in 47 states. This initiative reflects a continued commitment by the Biden-Harris Administration to modernize America’s transportation infrastructure and promote clean energy, in line with the overall federal goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050.
To date, the FTA has dedicated nearly $5 billion over the past three years to replacing outdated buses with more than 3,650 new ones, 80 percent of which will employ zero- or low-emission technology. These modern buses are expected to be produced by American workers, reinforcing the administration’s investment in both the environment and the domestic workforce.
“We are excited to benefit from this FTA grant, which will help us grow our zero-emission fleet that provides vital transportation service to our community. This continues MTD’s decades-long commitment to clean and efficient public transportation on the South Coast,” said Jerry Estrada, MTD’s general manager in Santa Barbara.
The overall funding strategy includes substantial contributions to multiple Central Coast sectors, with more than $950 million already deployed to bolster airport and road improvements, expand high-speed internet connectivity, and enhance local water and rail infrastructure. This holistic approach underscores a transformative phase in infrastructure improvement, driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, a legislative achievement strongly supported by Rep. Carbajal.
Both Congressman Carbajal and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the national and local benefits of the funded projects. According to their statements, the initiative to modernize the transportation system through zero-emission technology not only prioritizes environmental health, but also contributes to the broader mission of connecting communities more effectively while fostering economic growth.
“The installation of zero-emission buses on Santa Barbara County roads will help keep our air clean, reduce our region’s carbon footprint, and improve the reliability of public transportation by installing new buses to serve Central Coast residents,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This is just the latest in what has been nearly three years of investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which I was proud to help pass last term. With nearly $1 billion already delivered for the Central Coast, this act is truly delivering once-in-a-generation investments that are improving the quality of life on the Central Coast.”
“Today, 117 communities, including Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, are getting the good news that their public transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved thanks to President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Act,” Buttigieg said. “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies in 47 states replace aging buses that run on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern, zero-emission buses, made by American workers, that will connect more people to the places they need to go.”
For more details on these investments and other projects funded by the initiative, the public can access a complete map and additional information at Investing.gov.
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