Keystone Today

Funding follows $23.3 million grant to support transition to zero-emissions fleet in August 2022 

Washington, D.C. – On June 26, 2023, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced $80 million for the Southeastern Public Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to modernize transit facilities and enable them to support clean energy buses. This funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help SEPTA build resilient charging infrastructure to support low- to no-emission buses throughout their system and make the air in Southeastern Pennsylvania cleaner to breathe.

“Because of the infrastructure law, we are modernizing public transportation across Pennsylvania,” Senator Casey said. “This funding will enable SEPTA to deploy a low- to no-emission fleet and reduce emissions—making the air cleaner for Pennsylvanians and ensuring that SEPTA is prepared to support a cleaner transportation system well into the future.”

SEPTA is a key part of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s transportation network. This has been especially true in the aftermath of the I-95 collapse. Upgrading our facilities and transitioning to low to no-emission American-made buses is critical as more and more Pennsylvanians rely on SEPTA for their transit needs,” Senator Fetterman said. “This funding is a BIG investment that will allow us to continue the modernization of our public transit infrastructure, combat climate change, and make more stuff in America.

“SEPTA is committed to transitioning to a fully zero-emission bus fleet,” SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards said. “This Low No Grant funding will allow SEPTA to make the depot power infrastructure upgrades necessary to operate the new fleet.  We are grateful to Senator Casey and our Congressional delegation for not only working to fund this critical program but for also supporting our application.”

This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Low or No Emission Vehicle Program, the purpose of which is to provide funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

Original source can be found here.