On July 13, 2024, California’s Congressman Adam Schiff announced that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will receive over $75 million in federal funding to purchase dozens of electric buses and install new charging facilities.
Schiff had previously written to the U.S. Department of Transportation, urging the federal government to approve the funding to support Metro’s zero-emission bus and charging infrastructure plan. This initiative aims to acquire electric buses, charging equipment, and supporting infrastructure to provide reliable zero-emission transportation services in multiple cities within Los Angeles County.
The new charging stations are expected to be installed at Metro’s West Hollywood bus station.
Metro’s project aims to upgrade its buses in District 7, serving areas such as West Hollywood and other regions. These buses will also be used to enhance clean transportation during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.
In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on the 1st of this month, Schiff mentioned that “Metro plans to operate zero-emission buses in the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin, one of the most severely polluted areas in the United States,” with the goal of reducing pollution, improving transportation services, and enhancing employment and other opportunities for low-income communities.
Metro had applied for funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No-Emission Grant Program as well as the Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program, ultimately securing the funding with Schiff’s assistance.
According to Schiff’s office, these buses will operate on multiple routes and directly connect to all Metro rail lines, enhancing travel convenience and mobility. Metro’s plan is focused on improving the environment and air quality while providing high-quality transportation services for residents and visitors.
Buttigieg stated in a press release, “Today, 117 communities, including Los Angeles, received good news that their buses will be modernized through President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation, enhancing the commuting experience,” adding that “the Biden administration is assisting transportation agencies in 47 states to replace old, polluting, fuel-consuming buses with modern zero-emission buses manufactured by American workers, which will help more people get to where they need to go.”