Congressman Brian Higgins and Senator Tim Kennedy joined NFTA representatives Thursday, Sept. 1, to announce nearly $9 million in state funding for the NFTA for sustainable transportation and infrastructure improvements. As part of the committed funding, $5 million will go towards the transition of approximately 100 40-foot transit buses, and transition the NFTA-Metro’s Cold Spring garage from clean diesel and diesel-electric to battery electric. This funding will be used towards 10 additional BEB, bringing the total current BEB fleet to 24. The NFTA is on track to electrify twenty-five percent of its fleet by 2025.

An additional $3.86 million will allow the NFTA to add architectural canopies to bus stops to create a linear transit hub, as well as implement pedestrian and cyclist focused improvements along North Division Street in the City of Buffalo. Improvements will include solar panels, bike racks, specific infrastructure markings designated for pedestrians, as well as additional bus bays and seating for users. The funding is part of a larger $178.8 million commitment by New York State to projects that focus on fostering sustainable and connective modes of transportation in 75 communities statewide.

“We are so grateful and appreciative of the continued support we receive from Governor Kathy Hochul, Senators Tim Kennedy and Sean Ryan, and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes,” said Kim Minkel, Executive Director, NFTA. “This funding will help us provide needed upgrades for our riders and community, as well as advance our goal of making the NFTA as green-friendly as possible. Public transportation use is one of the most effective way to conserve energy and Western New York is fortunate to have elected officials who understand its value.”

The funds come months after local leaders broke ground on an $8 million upgrade to the NFTA’s Cold Spring Bus facility, adding safe and efficient charging equipment for BEBs. The construction of the electric grid and vehicle charging infrastructure to support the fueling and maintenance of 27 battery-electric buses is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. Future phases of the project will look to deploy battery electric or other zero-emission transit vehicles at NFTA-Metro’s other two bus garages.