Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the US Department of Transportation has announced a grant of $24.9m for a new generation of advanced, non-polluting transit buses through its new Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program (LoNo).
This move by the agency is aimed at encouraging widespread adoption of reliable green energy buses into transit fleets.
As a part of this program, zero emission transit buses will be on the road in communities across the US.
Established under the Moving Ahead for Progress Act (MAP-21), LoNo program focuses on commercializing the energy-efficient US made transit buses to help reduce emissions like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
The funds under this program will be awarded to transit agencies and state transportation departments working either independently or jointly with bus manufacturers making low- and zero-emission buses.
Of the $24.9m in LoNo grant funds, $21.6m will be for buses and $3.3m to support facilities and related equipment. Transit agencies may use a portion of their annual FTA formula funds to purchase additional vehicles.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "The LoNo program will make a real difference in people's lives by helping them get to work or school while letting them breathe clean air."
FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said: "We are excited to help improve the transit riders' experience by bringing more of the cleanest and greenest buses available to their cities and towns -- and to spur new jobs in a growing industry."
