Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and representatives from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announced 91 new, clean, energy efficient buses will hit the streets of Western New York over the next 15 months thanks to $39,711,371 in federal funding. 

“This significant investment in Western New York’s public transportation network will replacing older, less efficient buses, reduce costs, decrease our use of fossil fuel and reduce emissions leading to a better, cleaner community,” said Congressman Higgins. 

Eunice A. Lewin, Chairwoman of the NFTA’s Surface Transportation Committee said, “Buses are the lifelines that our customers use each day to connect to doctors offices, get to work and school, go shopping or visit family.  It is vital that we provide vehicles that are reliable, energy efficient and safe to operate.  As a result of Congressman Higgins efforts, we are making considerable progress to significantly upgrade our fleet, help the environment and improve our level of customer service.”

$11.8 Million Federal Transportation Expiring Funds will fund 24 Hybrid Buses
In 2004 Congress designated $11.8 million in transit which was set to expire in October 2007. Upon learning of the imminent loss of these funds, in August 2007 Congressman Higgins convened federal and local stakeholders so these federal dollars would not be lost to the region. The United States Department of Transportation announced its approval of Higgins’ request to repurpose these funds in January and the funds were officially awarded September 25, 2009.  This federal transportation money will be used to purchase 24 40-foot hybrid buses.

“Allowing these funds to disappear from Western New York’s grasp was never an option,” said Higgins. “With the help of the NFTA and people in Washington we fought to keep these resources here.”

$3.48 Million Clean Fuel Grant will fund 11 Hybrid Buses
The NFTA received $3,480,583 through the Federal Transit Administration’s Clean Fuels Grant Program. Through this grant 11 40-foot hybrid electric busses will replace life-expired diesel busses operating in the NFTA’s service area.

$24.43 Million in Recovery Act Funds will Support 56 Clean Diesel Buses
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act provided $8.4 billion for investments in transit.  The NFTA received $24,430,788 through the Recovery Act, which they will use to purchase 56 clean diesel buses.  

NFTA Metro carries about 94,000 people each weekday and operates a fleet of over 324 busses.  The NFTA estimates a 25% to 30% reduction in fuel based on the efficiencies of the hybrid. Savings are realized from decreased maintenance costs associated with the new hybrid bus.