Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Nearly $9 million dollars in funding, stemming from New York State's $178.8 million commitment for connective and sustainable modes of transportation, has been received by the NFTA for electric buses and other infrastructure improvements.
The announcement was made Thursday afternoon by New York State Senator Tim Kennedy, alongside Congressman Brian Higgins and NFTA (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority) Executive Director Kim Minkel. $5 million is going toward the purchase of 10 battery-electric buses, which will help bring the the electric bus count for the NFTA to 27 by the end of 2022.
"Many of you will recall that we had the United States Labor Secretary here not that long ago in the winter to announce the $8 million upgrade of the NFTA Cold Spring bus facility. So we're adding to that safe and efficient charging equipment for these battery electric buses. This $5 million builds on that investment in the fleet that will ultimately be the new normal here in Western New York and across New York State," said Senator Tim Kennedy.
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"NFTA has committed to meeting Governor Hochul's goal of 100% zero emission bus purchases by 2035 and this funding will help support that goal. Transportation accounts for nearly a third of all air pollution in urban areas. Each one of these new electric buses will eliminate up to 175 tons of greenhouse gases each year, helping to improve air quality at a time that we need at most," said NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel.
The NFTA is on track to electrify 25 percent of its fleet by 2025.
The additional $3.86 million is going toward architectural canopies to bus stops to create a linear transit hub, as well as improvements to North Division Street in Buffalo such as solar panels, bike racks, pedestrian markings as well as bus bays and seatings for users.
Congressman Brian Higgins says that 80 percent of this funding comes thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, "It will also create jobs, we see that when infrastructure investments are made, there is a direct correlation to private sector investment in those areas. So for every dollar that we spend, we get $4-6 back in private sector investment, which is a positive development."
See the player below to hear the full announcement: