New York City Increases Purchase of Electric Buses, Aims At Zero-Emissions Fleet By 2040

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will be increasing its purchases of electric buses by 33% this year – from 45 to 60. The MTA has the ongoing mission to transform its 5,800 buses to a zero-emissions fleet by the year 2040.

“The MTA is serious about delivering on the promise of a zero-emissions fleet by our 2040 target,” said Craig Cipriano, president of the MTA Bus Company and senior vice president for Buses for MTA New York City Transit. “With state and federal support and resources, we expect this program is about to take off exponentially. The MTA is working with the industry every step of the way to meet our ambitious goal.”

Along with the upcoming bus purchases, the MTA has completed a $39 million agreement with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to install more than 50 overhead chargers to power them. The new chargers will be installed at four MTA bus depots, along with an “on-route” charger that will allow buses to draw charges while they are briefly parked between runs. 

In New York City, about 75% of MTA bus depots and transit bus routes are located in low/moderate-income communities. MTA states that the conversion to a zero-emissions fleet will help to significantly improve air quality and public health by reducing health problems, such as asthma.

“This is exactly the kind of investment New York needs to build back better at this critical moment for the state and nation, and it solidifies the MTA’s status as the transit agency most dedicated to protecting the environment,” said Janno Lieber, MTA Construction and Development president. “Modernizing our infrastructure in this way will have far reaching impacts that can help address overdue challenges of social equity and climate change.”