NYMTA Purchases 265 New Zero-Emission Buses

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced the purchase of 265 new zero-emission buses for operation on routes across the city. This purchase builds on the 60 zero-emission buses that arrived last year and is in addition to the 205 zero-emission buses slated to come beginning late this year. The new, 40-foot buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by upward of 90 metric tons annually per bus.

“Transit is what makes New York the greenest city and the greenest region of the country,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “And these new buses, along with all the infrastructure upgrades to bus depots across the five boroughs, mean New Yorkers all over will soon be breathing cleaner air.”

To support the expansion of charging infrastructure for the zero-emissions bus fleet, the MTA and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) are building new electric-bus charging stations, including commissioning automated overhead pantographs that are expected to be operational at Jamaica Depot in fall of 2027. The design and buildout incorporate the necessary infrastructure improvements to eventually support a full fleet of electric buses that will be assigned to Jamaica Bus Depot.

“New York City Transit has the largest bus fleet in the country, and we are charging forward with a plan to transition that fleet to cleaner, zero-emission buses,” said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Upgrades to Jamaica Bus Depot and the purchase of 265 new zero-emission buses made possible by Congestion Pricing are a major step forward toward cleaner air and quieter commutes throughout New York City.”

The MTA is collaborating closely with Con Edison to source new power for bus charging. Work to transform bus depots to support zero-emission buses includes reconfiguring lanes inside depots specific to electric buses and restructuring areas to accommodate overhead pantograph dispensers to charge buses.

“MTA’s procurement of 265 new zero-emission buses is a positive and welcomed step forward in sustainable transit for New York City,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY). “I am proud that this is made possible by nearly $20 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $70 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The new zero-emissions buses and the charging infrastructure at Jamaica Depot will contribute greatly to New York’s bustling public transportation system. Thank you to the MTA and all the local elected officials for working hard toward a more sustainable and cleaner New York.”