Lafayette transit service to grow more sustainable with $7.6M grant
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CityBus of Greater Lafayette is using a recent federal grant award to pursue greater sustainable practices in public transportation.
The Federal Transit Administration awarded $7.6 million to CityBus as a part of its Low or No Emission Grant Program.
CityBus plans to use these funds to purchase four hydrogen fuel buses and three compressed natural gas buses to add to its fleet of 62 vehicles. The grant will also fund the hydrogen refueling stations, maintenance facility modifications and workforce training needed to support the new buses, though no new jobs are being created.
Of CityBus’ fleet, 66% is powered by compressed natural gas and 31% is powered by hybrid diesel-electric technology. CityBus provides more than 5 million riders each year to passengers in the Greater Lafayette area.
“This investment will allow us to take another major step foward in efforts to provide environmentally friendly transit services to the residents of Greater Lafayette,” CityBus CEO Bryan Smith said in a news release. “By embracing hydrogen technology, we continue our tradition of making a positive impact on our community’s air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
CityBus is required to provide a 20% match to receive the grant, and is doing so with $1.3 million in local funding.