Congresswoman Bush Announces $5.4 Million Grant for Transition to Zero-Low Carbon Emission Transit Bus Fleet
St. Louis – Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page applauded the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) announcement that the agency will award the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District with a $5,412,960 grant for their Low-No Program which works to replace the current bi-state bus fleet with zero-to-low carbon emissions buses, as well as funding for general bus infrastructure repairs. The Bi-State Development operates the Metro Transit system in St. Louis City and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois.
“Residents across the St. Louis region lean on having a reliable and functional bus system to operate day-to-day, just as they rely on having clean air and living in a healthy environment, ” said Congresswoman Bush. “I am excited to see that the Bi-State Development Agency has received a massive grant to help bolster advancements and repairs to our local bus fleet, while also supporting efforts to minimize our carbon footprint. This funding will ensure that entities like St. Louis Metro can operate smoothly while simultaneously limiting their carbon contributions to create a cleaner and healthier environment for our families, in addition to ensuring dependable and safe transit options exist for residents who rely on our local bus service.”
“The continued investment in environmentally friendly public transportation is great news for our region,” said County Executive Dr. Page. “Public transportation is a vital resource for thousands of our families.”
“We are pleased to learn of this new grant award. Battery electric buses are better for the environment and we are transitioning to new transit technologies to reduce emissions in the neighborhoods and communities we serve,” said Taulby Roach, Bi-State Development President and CEO.
“This new funding will enable us to expand our battery electric bus program with new vehicles for the fleet and to continue to move forward with establishing a new charging infrastructure at our MetroBus facility in the City of St. Louis,” said Charles Stewart, Metro Transit Executive Director.
The Bi-State Development will receive funding to buy six battery-electric buses to replace diesel buses that have reached the end of their useful life. Additionally, the project includes upgrading the agency's Metro's DeBaliviere Bus Facility with charging equipment, which will improve health and quality of life for nearby residents.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.