New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a series of initiatives to increase the number of electric buses in the state. The plans include $16.4 million in incentives for transit buses, and $2.5 million for school buses.

Under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), $16.4 million from the Volkswagen diesel settlement will be made available to five of the largest public transit operators in the state: the Capital District Transportation Authority, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Rochester-Genesee Regional Transit Authority, Suffolk County Transportation and Westchester County Bee-Line Bus System. Combined, these transit operators operate over 1,300 transit buses. The NYTVIP program will cover 100 percent of the cost of new all-electric transit buses that serve disadvantaged communities.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) will also provide $1 million in funding to help the five operators develop electrification plans. NYSERDA and NYPA will work with a contractor to study the most cost-effective way to transition to electric fleets and install the needed charging stations.

The state has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking details from manufacturers and dealers about electric and hybrid transit buses currently available in the marketplace. Responses to the RFI, which are due by January 21, will be used to develop a solicitation for electric and hybrid buses with the goal of providing transit authorities with options for purchasing green vehicles for their fleets.

A separate pot of $2.5 million is now available statewide through the NYTVIP to school bus operators. Funding will help cover up to 100 percent of costs for all-electric school buses operating near disadvantaged communities.

“Electrifying transit and school buses at scale is an important step in our fight against climate change and is essential in helping us reach our ambitious goals to create a greener New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “Through these initiatives, bus operators will now have the support and resources they need to modernize their fleets, reduce emissions and ensure underserved communities have cleaner public transit options as we work to further reduce our carbon footprint.”

Source: State of New York Governor’s Office