HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it will receive a $38.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
The grant will be used to buy 46 battery electric buses and install 29 chargers for the CTfastrak bus rapid transit service, according to the State of Connecticut’s press release. The $38.9 million grant will contribute to an $86.8 million project.
Gov. Ned Lamont's administration is implementing a plan of changing CTfastrak buses from diesel to zero-emission models by 2035.
Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said, “Investing in electric buses for the CTfastrak fleet is a forward-thinking move that highlights Connecticut’s dedication to sustainability and innovation.”
The FTA’s Low or No Emission Grant Program “provides funding through a competitive process to states and transit agencies to purchase or lease low or no emission transit buses and related facility upgrades.”
The press release also said, “this project is supported by more than $17 million in matching state funds and $30 million from federal formula funds.”
The Biden-Harris administration said Tuesday it budgeted $1.5 billion in funding to 117 public transportation improvement projects in 47 states.
“Approximately 80% 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,” said the Biden-Harris press release.
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy ranked CTfastrak as the best bus rapid transit system in the United States.
Transit locations include direct service to and from Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, and Manchester. A dedicated busway goes from Hartford to New Britain.
The FTA has given nearly $5 billion in the past three years to update transit buses by building new technology. The Biden-Harris press release said U.S. factories will produce more than 4,600 new buses.
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