APTA Responds to Proposed Buy America Waiver for Battery-Electric Minibuses

APTA submitted a letter to FTA, Jan. 3, in response to the agency’s Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Battery-Electric Minibuses and Request for Comment (Docket No. FTA-2024-0018).

In the letter, APTA stated it strongly supports Buy America and applauds the Administration’s continued efforts to ensure the use of American-made materials in FTA-funded projects. APTA also strongly supports the phased three-year general non-availability waiver of Buy America requirements proposed by FTA for battery-electric minibuses used in public transportation.  APTA also encouraged foreign manufacturers to incorporate American-made products and supplies where readily available.

In addition, APTA noted that it was “very fortunate to participate with FTA and the members of the Administration at the White House Clean Bus Manufacturing Roundtable held in February 2024. Through the APTA Bus Manufacturing Task Force, we have worked together with bus manufacturers, suppliers, and public transit agencies to build a more competitive, financially stable bus manufacturing capacity in this country. These efforts are critical as the nation’s transit agencies transition to zero-emission bus technologies.”

APTA expressed its appreciation to FTA for proposing to grant the phased waiver and commits to continue working with FTA and the public transportation industry to build a more competitive, financially stable, and Buy America-compliant bus and minivan capacity.