ANN ARBOR, Mich – A $25 million grant to fund a hydrogen fueling station, two hydrogen buses and more than 12 hybrid buses, according to Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority officials.
Locally known as TheRide, the local transportation organization received the grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low / No Emission Bus Grant program.
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The program, under President Joe Biden’s Investing in America program, funds local and state ventures to buy or lease zero-emission and low-emission transit buses and their supporting facilities.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are creating new opportunities to improve the lives of millions of Americans who rely daily on buses,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool in a release. “These grants will help deliver cleaner and greener transportation, designed to reach everyone, and to work for everyone, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past.”
Officials said the money will support efforts to reduce TheRide’s overall carbon emissions by replacing diesel-fueled buses with low-emission diesel electric hybrid buses.
“We are incredibly grateful to have been awarded this grant, enabling us to introduce hydrogen buses and cutting-edge technology to our community,” said TheRide CEO Matthew Carpenter. “The grant not only advances our climate action efforts, but also highlights our commitment to workforce development through the training and retention of our operators and mechanics. We thank the FTA for the grant to assist with this important initiative.”
In January, TheRide leadership approved a plan to expand its fleet with hydrogen bus technology.
“On behalf of TheRide’s Board of Directors, we thank TheRide’s staff for their hard work and dedication towards environmental sustainability,” said TheRide’s Board of Directors Chair Kathleen Mozak. “The Board thanks the FTA for this grant and we’re looking forward to continuing to guide TheRide into the future of sustainability.”