Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) announced Tuesday that L.A. Metro will receive more than $77.5 million from a federal grant to purchase dozens of battery electric buses and install new chargers at the West Hollywood bus yard.
Schiff had previously written to the U.S. Department of Transportation advocating for funding approval for Metro’s Zero-Emission Bus and Charging Infrastructure Project. This project aims to acquire battery-electric buses, charging equipment, and supporting infrastructure to ensure reliable zero-emission services across multiple cities within Los Angeles County.
“Electric buses mean cleaner air, less traffic, and more reliable service for Los Angeles residents,” Schiff said. “With this investment, Los Angeles is set to lead the way in creating a modern, green, and accessible transit system that will benefit our community for years to come.”
In his July 1 letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Schiff wrote, “Metro plans to operate zero-emission buses in the Los Angeles-South Coast Air Basin, one of the highest polluted air quality regions in the nation. Investments in this project align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and Metro’s Equity Focus Communities to benefit underprivileged communities by reducing pollution, enhancing transit service, and improving access to jobs and other opportunities.”
The funding was secured through the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emissions Grant Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, with Schiff’s support.
“Today, 117 communities, including Los Angeles, are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Buttigieg said in a statement. “The Biden Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”
The new electric buses will enhance access and mobility by providing direct connections to all Metro rail lines. The project will upgrade buses operating within Metro’s Bus Division 7 area, covering West Hollywood and other regions. Additionally, the buses will bolster clean transportation efforts ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The initiative prioritizes environmental and air quality improvements while delivering high-quality transit services to residents and visitors of Los Angeles.
What a great idea!
Schiff better convince Biden to bow out or Schiff might actually lose in November. Biden is going to crash the entire party in November. His poll numbers are beyond dismal. Even NY is in play for republicans right now. Kiss the White House, the Senate and Congress good bye if the democrats don’t find another candidate.
Some readers may disdain mass transit but the LA region has the second highest pu lic transit ridership in the nation — behind NYC and ahead of Boston, Chicago, DC, etc. Many angelinos rely on public transit every day. Smog free transit is long overdue, and if the charging systems are solar powered all the better!!
Thank you!
Have any of the above commenters ever been on a Metro bus? I use them all the time and they are always crowded. Do they understand that these funds come from a dedicated source that can only be used for low or no emission transportation? Apparently not. Do we have a problem with extreme cold affecting batteries? NOPE! Do your homework people, stop the pearl clutching, and ease into the 21st century; it’s about time!
correction: comments BELOW
Ridiculous. Kamala promoted electric school buses and they all died in colder climates. Another waste of $$$$. Now this? No one uses the buses and the current fleet is LPG, clean, reliable, easy energy. No mining, no child labor in Africa for cobalt, not renewable, not reliable. Can’t wait to see the range of these behemoths!!!! And, BTW, to all the tree huggers, how do you think the electricity that charges these vehicles is derived? Take a think.
How about using all those millions to build new mental health and drug/alcohol rehab centers?! We have people that are out of their mind wandering the streets harming themselves and others. We need to change the law so these people can be placed to get the help they need and we need to start diverting some of these millions to build new facilities!
Funded by the US Department of Transportation?
I think not.
Thanks all we need. More buses that no one uses.