Dive Brief:
- The Chicago-based Regional Transportation Authority said last week it has applied for $375 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to purchase electric buses and railcars and supporting infrastructure.
- Funds would be distributed equally among the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter railroad and the Pace suburban bus provider.
- The CTA and Pace have each committed to electrify their entire fleets by 2040. Looking to replace its diesel locomotives, Metra ordered eight two-car battery-powered trainsets from Stadler U.S. in February, with options for eight additional trainsets and up to 32 trailer cars.
Dive Insight:
State and local officials, community organizations and advocates support the RTA’s move to zero-emission transit, RTA said in an April 12 press release. Working groups consisting of over 100 riders, advocates, agency staff and other stakeholders agreed that accelerating the transition to a zero-emission regional transit system was a priority.
“Transit is already one of the greenest modes of travel and offers everyone the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by foregoing car trips,” said Leanne Redden, executive director of the RTA, in a statement. RTA is seeking funds from the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. The grant program has $4.6 billion available from the Inflation Reduction Act.
If the RTA’s grant application is successful, it would provide funds for the CTA to purchase up to 50 articulated 60-foot electric buses and two charging cabinets; for Pace to procure up to 83 electric 40-foot buses; and for Metra to exercise its option with Stadler for 32 battery-powered trailer cars along with eight docking stations. Metra would then be able to retire 16 of its oldest diesel locomotives.
The RTA said in a press release that the funding “would be a transformative investment in the fight against climate change in our region.”
