MCDOT’s Ride On Bus System Awarded $1.75 Million FTA Grant to Purchase Electric Buses and Charging Stations

For Immediate Release: Friday, September 15, 2017

Montgomery County has received an award from the Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Competitive program for $1.75 million to purchase electric buses and charging stations. The buses will be Montgomery County’s first zero-emission buses. Expanding use of electric buses is an important component in the County’s strategy to use innovative technology to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent by 2020, cut emission of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, reduce the environmental impact of its fleet and expand the overall use of electric vehicles.

“I am grateful for the generous support from the Federal Transit Administration to fund purchase of Montgomery County's first zero-emission buses and charging stations,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “This represents an important expansion of Montgomery County’s healthy and sustainable communities initiative.”

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On bus system will use the money to purchase four, 35-foot, all-electric buses, which can operate all day on a single charge, and charging stations. Ride On had budgeted $1.75 million for four, clean diesel buses to replace older buses. The grant will be used to pay the incremental cost difference.

“This latest federal investment in electric buses and charging stations for Montgomery County is a win for public health, the environment and our regional economy. Modernizing our public transit fleet cuts pollution, reduces traffic congestion and improves the quality of life,” said Senator Ben Cardin, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “I applaud Montgomery County officials for continuing to pursue partnerships that ensure accessible, reliable, sustainable and efficient transit options for Marylanders.”

"Worsening traffic and the need for efficient public transportation have led us to seek more sustainable transportation options,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees. “This funding supports that demand and will improve our public transportation system for thousands of Montgomery County residents. I will keep fighting for these kinds of smart investments in our community."

Ride On is partnering with Proterra, the bus manufacturer, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment, a nonprofit that develops technologies and implements solutions to achieve energy and environmental sustainability. The Montgomery County Department of General Services, which purchases and maintains the Ride On buses, greatly assisted with the grant application.

“This federal grant funding will not only help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Montgomery County, it will also help modernize public transportation in the region and ease congestion,” said Congressman John Sarbanes, who wrote a letter in June to the Federal Transit Administration in support of the Montgomery County transportation proposal. “I was proud to support Montgomery County in securing this grant funding, and I look forward to seeing this new, twenty-first century bus system in action.”

The Low or No Emission Competitive program provides 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. 

“I was pleased to see Montgomery County receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration for electric buses and charging stations,” said Congressman John Delaney. “I am proud to support this program, which is a win-win for my constituents and for the federal government – it is a smart investment in new, green public transportation that lowers emissions and helps reduce congestion.”

“I was proud to support Montgomery County's competitive grant application for the Low or No Emission Project and congratulate the County on securing this important funding, “said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “This grant will allow Montgomery County to make economically-sound and environmentally-friendly improvements in our community's transportation infrastructure.  Montgomery County is a leader in environmental sustainability and this grant will help us continue that tradition.”

The electricity used to run the new buses will be generated from clean energy sources. Montgomery County Government purchases 100 percent of its annual electricity consumption from energy generated by wind turbines. The County, and its partner agencies, collectively are the fourth largest municipal purchaser of clean energy. Montgomery County has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 2005 baseline by 2050 and is currently ahead of schedule.

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-6507